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1t[ ]N[e\v San)p/5l|ii'c hi^tl j\Ia^rfaifl|iiv^ctts(, for i^eai'ly l|alf h. 
deijluiy, oi' fi'oii^ l8i7 to tl]c yeai' iSto- 

Witli Brief Xotice.s^ of f^ei'^oii^^, and ^ketdl^e^ 
of Plade^^ wlief e fie l\h^ ¥kiiglit. 



Coinpiled by JOIi:^ \V. HMOOriE. 



" To know 
That which .iround us lies, in daily life, 
Is the prime wisdom." 



EXETER, N. H. : --^ 

WINGATE & DUNTON, PRINTERS. 
1S77. 

Copyriglit, 18T0, by JOHN W. MOORE. 
:7V 



S'y 



■a-^ Of CoV->^*>S. 



To 

My family, my friend?, and my very many respected pupils, 

now scrttered and settled r^ 

in nearly every State of the Union, some of them f>^ . 

holding positions of trust and responsibility, \\ ''y Y\ 
I take pride in dedic»iing these pagei : ^^ Xb 

I believe that they • 

have not forgotten their old teacher : 

I cherish warm recollections 

of my schools and scholars : 

I have watched their progress and prosperity : 

My interest for the welfare 

of my pupils 

will continue unabated through life. 

" Left much alone, in these lafe empty years, 
Life, (starved and dwindled,) tells its old tales o'er, 
And, like the wind, the Past sings in mine ears ; 
But, like the wind, goes by." 

I believe that one of the chief sweets of memory is drawn from the 
melancholy which follows in its train ; in my lonely moments of medita- 
tion, the union of tender memories, cheerful and regretful,- bring forth an 
offering of tears, the children of thought, soothing and sorrowful in their 
influence upon the mind. Whilst Avith regret I look back on the past, i 
can also look with bright hope to the future. It is a part of my nature 
to love the future, with its promises, as well as the past, with its recollec- 
tions. Deep, deep goes the song which guides me up the mountain from 
whence I can look upon the distant landscape through which I have wan- 
dered. Imagination sometimes takes me there, and I feel the gentle 
summer breeze sweeping over the pleasure grounds, as it fans my brow ; 
though it does not always bring to me the full fragrance of the flowers ; 
but I can keep a leaf, or something in the form of a memento, with whichi 
to link the joys of life. The many friends who assisted me in obtaining 
and managing my many different day schools, and music schools, can 
never be forgotten ; and the thousands of pupils who made my several 
schools so interesting and creditable, are yet fresh in my memory. I have 
seen many of them as distinguished citizens of various states, and some of 
them, I am happy to say, are to-day among the most influential and useful 
men and women of the states where they have since resided. I greatly 
rejoice to know of their prosperity. 

BENJAMIN E. THOMPSON. 



I^REFA.OE. 



I wish simply to state that I Iiave been repeatedly urged, 
within the last few years, to write a history of my many 
schools, and my connection with them, on the supposition 
that such a work would have an extensive circulation 
among my many pupils and personal friends. I have at 
length consented to employ a gentleman, [Mr. John W. 
Moore, of Manchester,] to chronicle some of the " Remem- 
bered Events" concerning my life and services, as a 
teacher of Common Schools, Academies, Institutes and 
Singins^ Schools ; interspersed with Remarks concerning 
School Teaching, and Music Teaching ; with some brief 
notices of persons and things in the various towns where 
I have had schools ; and by particular request I haye con- 
sented to the publication of some of the Addresses 
delivered by myself at the close of my schools, upon the 
subject of Music. From the opening of my first day 
school, in 1827, it has been my ambition to keep a good 
school^ and where it was possible to do so, to introduce 
Music as a branch of common school education. I have 
lived to see the ideas I tremblingly advanced, in the early 
days of my teaching, fully endorsed by the best living 
educators and teachers; and to know that Music is now 
one of the regular branches of study in most of our 
Academies, High Schools and Institutions of Education, 



6 

and that it is also taiiglit very geiKMally in the most sue- 
cessfnl of our common schools; while it is safe to say that 
nearly all can now learn to sing with about the same effort 
necessary to be made in learning to read. 

"When I commenced teaching there were, comparatively, 
few advantages for education; and our school books were 
less useful and less in number than now; ]ni])ils, at that 
day, were imder the necessity of studying more hovn-s 
than now to obtain a given amount of knowledge. I 
early learned some princij)les of teaching from JM aster 
Hersey and from Dr. Moore, both eminent instructors in 
mv native town, which, I believe ar(^ worthy of remem- 
brance by all teachers. The learning v/e acquire at school 
is but the beginning of education; and because we have 
left school our education is not complete, but only begun ; 
for what we there may have gained we miust yet learn the 
application and practice of in all the requirements and 
duties of life. After leaving school we must commence 
the most important part of education — self education — t'le 
applying what others have taught us to the teaching our- 
selves, the carrying on what others have begun for us to 
our own and others' .improvement. \\ hen we come out 
from the school room, true education begin.s ; for what- 
ever a man or woman learns by experience, is belter 
known than what is learned from others. I do n( t mean 
to say that the help and advice of others is to be disre- 
garded, for we must use all the aids that men and books 
offer, at all times ; but we must, after our school days, 
set ourselves at work upon ourselves; that as children we 
no longer dej)end upon others to teach us, but that we 
strive to teach ourselves. 'NV hen we were young our food 
was provided for us, but even then we ate rnd digested it 
for ourselves ; and after this comes the time when we 
must not only do this, but we must earn it also ; we must 



ncqiiirc it for ourselves ; and in ?o nu:ler.stan(Hn[^ and in 
knowledge become men and \ionieii ; then, ].'.')ssibly, if 
called upon to do it, ^ve may become quaiilied to teacii 
others. 

I was taught that activity is the law of childhood ; we 
must accustom the child to do ; we must educate the hand ; 
we must cultivate the faculties in their natural order — 
first form the mine], then furnish it ; begin wit!i the senses, 
and you need not tell a child what he will discover him- 
self; reduce every subject to its elements ; one difficulty 
at a 'imi; is enouiih for a child ; proceed step by step ; be 
thorough ; the n:easure of information is not what the 
tea( her can give, but what the child can receive; let every 
lesson have a point, either immediate or remote ; develop 
the idefi, then give the term and cultivate the language ; 
j)roceed from the known to the unknown, from the par- 
ticular to the general, from the simple to the more difficult, 
follow the order of nature; matter first, next method; 
terms and information must be carefully distinguished from 
ideas developed. Ideas are developed by addressing the 
senses directly, by com])arison, by experiments, and by 
addressing the reason. All means of illustration shonld 
be clear, ample and satisfactory to the pupil, who should 
never be left in doubt. I believe that any conscientious 
teacher of common ability who will observe these teach- 
ings will succeed and always have a good school. ]\Iy 
own experience has shown me that without observing them 
I should have failed both as a teacher of common day 
schools and of singing schools. 

In the following " Remembered Events^''' I claim no 
credit as a writer. I should never have attempted this 
little work, but by the repeated request of my friends, 
Avho, in September, 1876, gave public notice of a ^'-proposed 
re-union' for the purpose of preparing some sort of testi- 



8 

monial for me. In the discussion concerning the memorial 
meeting, it was snggested that some account of my life 
and services as a '••vHnan teacher' would be very accept- 
able to my friends and pupils ; and that the most fitting 
testimonial would be the production of the book which 
has in consequence been prepared ; the proceeds from the 
sale of which, after defraying expenses of publication, 
will go to form a pleasant memorial for mj'self. 

For the interest my friends and pupils have ever mani- 
fested for my welfare, I here express my heartfelt thanks. 
I trust they will receive this little volume with my best 
wishes, that the few recoUectloiis here recorded may at 
least remind them that I have never forgotten my schools 
or schohirs ; nor have I lost sight of the places and the 
ancient landmarks which helped to render them dear to 
me ; neither have I failed to remember the many warm 
friends who assisted me in obtaining the schools which I 
have taught. My mention of persons^ places and things is 
brief; it has been made from memory, and may not be as 
perfect or full as it might have been, had I ever contem- 
plated the publication of anything of this kind. The first 
intimation of the efforts of my friends came from reading 
the following editorial notice, which appeared iu the 
Manchester Dailj/ Mirror, September 9, 1876: 

"PllOPOSED RE-UNION." 

"Mr. E, B, Thompson, of South Deerfield, a veteran teacher, reaches 
his seventieth birthday, on the lllh of October next, and it has been sug- 
gested among some of his old pu[)ils that a gathering of as many of them 
as possibly can do so, meet at a convenient place, and that some sort of 
testimonial be ]irepared for him. IMr. Thompson commenced teaching in 
1827, and continued at it till 1875, teaching both common schools and 
singing schools. He has tauglit jjublic schools in nineteen different towns, 
and singing schools in twenty-five, all the way from Rye to New London. 
Among his pupils who are interested in the proposed re-union, are — Hon. 
John D. Philbrick, Superintendent of Schools in Boston, Mass., and B. L. 
Cilley, Esq., of Exeter Academy, N. H. The arrangements for the affair 
are not yet matured." 



9 

The follo^ving notice appeared in (lie "Mirror'* ne^ys- 
paper of Manchester, N. H., October 5, 1876: 

"A Re-union of the former pupils of B. B. Thompson, of South Deer- 
field, both of singing and day schools, is to be held on his 70th i)irthday 
on Wednesday next, Oct. 11th,. at the town hall in Exeter, at 10 o'clock 
A. M. Hon. John D. Philbrick, of Boston, Pi'of. B. L. Cilley, of Exeter, 
and others will be present and make addresses. All of Mr. Thompson's 
pupils are invited to be present." 

The a!)oye notices, and the general desire, later ex- 
pressed, that I shonld pnblish a history of my schools, 
induced me to procure written the " Rt collections" here 
presented. I have taught many schools ; and for five 
terms served as the, teacher of music in the School Institutes 
for the education of school teachers. An estimate made, 
averaging my pupils at the number of only forty in a 
school, shows that I have had at least five thousand different 
pupils in my day schools and singing schools. The num- 
ber is large at this estimate ; but some of my schools had 
an attendance of more than double the number estimated ; 
and in many schools I had from sixty to one hundred 
scholars ; many of my singing schools numbered a hun- 
dred pupils. I was fortunate in having good schools ; 
and so far as I ever knew, the good will, not only of the 
scholars but of the parents ; and I now look back upon 
my labors, in the cause of music and of education, with the 
hope and trust that my efforts were for good, and that they 
produced good results. I have always believed in the saying 
that Books are masters who instruct us without rods and 
ferules, without words of anger, without bread or money. 
If you approach them, they are not asleep ; if you seek 
them, they do not hide; if you blunder, they do not scold; 
if you are ignorant, they do not laugh at you. So if you 
like, you can examine this little book of mine and per- 
chance find something in it that may be of value. 

13. B. THOMPSON. 



THE KE-U^IOK^ 



Of this meeting it is only necessary to say that it was 
intended as a compliment to Mr. Thompson ; but the fol- 
lowing letter, which explains itself, is all concerning the 
re-union, that will add anything of interest to this work; 
other doings of the meeting heing of a private nature, and 
only important to Mr. Thompson, himself; Avho, though 
in Exeter at the time, was for a portion of the day, con- 
fined to his boarding-house by sickness. The meeting 
was not one of speech making, at all; but what w^as done 
in a quiet way was, in its results, gratifying to Mr. 
Thompson and encouraging so' far as he and his Book 
were concerned. Following the letter of Prof. Philbrick, 
Mr. Thompson offers a few remarks, expressing his thanks 
for favors received, and the encouragement given him by 
his former pupils and present fdends. 

Boston, Oct. 9, 187G, 
My Dear Old Sciiool-jiaster : 

I learn that the 70th amiiversarj of your birth-clay occurs on tlie 11th 
inst. and that on that day there is to be a gathering of your former pupil?, 
at Exeter, for the purpose of tendering to you their congratulations, and 
of taking measures to secure for future presentation, a suitable testimonial 
of their high appreciation and friendly regards. I am very glad the meet- 
ing is to be held ; I am fully in accord with its purpose ; for it is to render 
honor to whom honor is due ; it is to express appreciation of services 
which did not, and could not, receive adequate pecuniary compensation ; 
it is to bestow some token of grateful remembrance of substantial benefits 
received. The true teacher takes great satisfaction in the progress and 
success of his pupils ; and this satisfaction is justly reckoned as no small 



11 

part of Km reward fey his arduous labors. But to such a teacher, in the 
evening of life, nothing c:ia be m:)re gratifying than the manifestations 
of the grateful remembrances of his pupils, cherished from childhood and 
youth to years of maturity, and even into advancing age. I rejoice that 
this gratification is yours. You deserve it. 

I regret my inability to be present at the proposed meeting, to tender in 
person, my coagratulalions, and to revive the memory of those schoolboy 
days, when you taught me to cipher in Welch's Arithmetic, some forty- 
five years ago, in that old, unpainted school-house, perched upon the knoll 
at the fork of the roads, in the Deerfield No. 1 district. I was in my 
thirteenth year, and I remember carrying from my home, a mile away, on 
a frosty morning, a sharp axe to chop the logs of green wood, to supply the 
fire in the big fire place, dui ing the day that its care fell to me. I enjoyed 
the benefit of your instruction in that school two winter terms of about ten 
weeks each. You secured the good will of your pupils, many of whom 
were rather rough, grown up young men, by your evident interest in the 
welfkre of each individual. I well remember refiecting at the time, 
upon the secret of your success in governing, and coming to the conclusion 
that your morning prayer at the opening of the school, had much to do 
with it. One of the things in connection with one of those winter terms, 
which, to your credit should be mentioned, and which I have more than 
once told tlie boys in the Koston evening schools, was the gratuitous even- 
ing school you kept for tliose of us who chose to attend. Ciphering was 
the chief branch attended to. We j)upils, few in number, extemporised 
seats in front of the fire-place, having for lights tallow candles tel in 
turnips for candlesticks. Tiiis ca-e is a pretty good illustration of the 
pursuit of knowledge under diificulties. Though we may not have acquired 
much knowledge in that wiy, the effort to obtain it afforded extremely 
useful training. Subsequently to my experience as your pupil in a district 
school, I was tor at least two courses, a pupil in one of your evening sing- 
ing classes. Your performances on the violin were my beau-ide il of the 
perfection of music. I doubt if the finest opera could now afford me so 
much pleasure as did those evening singing schools. Such are some of 
the reminiscences revived by this occasion. I wish it success. I send 
greetings to those who may come together. I shall be happy to co-operate 
with them in carrying out the plan proposed. 

And may you, dear Sir, find your last days your best, and long live to 
enjoy the rewards which belong to the faithful teacher. 

With affectionate regards, I remain ever your old pupil, 

JOHN D. PHILBRICK. 
Benjamin B. TaoMPSON, Esq. 



12 . 

ExETEK, N. H., October 12, 1876^, 
Mr. John "VY. Moore, 

Dkar Sir : — As you requested me to send you the doings of the 
*' Re-union Meeting" of yesterday, I have to say, that in consequence of 
personal sickness, there was not a public meeting, as proposed ; but a 
friendly gathering, without intent of making the doings public ; it was on 
that account the more gratifying to me, personally, because it at once did 
away with all formality ; and except the usual greetings of old friends the 
business was to encourage me in my efforts to publish the " Remembered 
Sloents" concerning my life as a teacher, and a general expression of the 
opinion that such a work as I described mine to be, was what they desired/ 
and that it would be their wish to obtain it as soon as possible. You un- 
doubtedly know that the old-fashioned school teachers were not persons 
who contemplated doing such things as writing or publishing sketches of 
their lives or services, though many of them were known as great talkers, 
both in and out of their schools ; had they turned their attention to com- 
posing or delivering orations, or writing biographical sketches of one 
another, there would have been less difRculty than now exists in learning 
something of their lives and times. So with the old singing-masters ; but , 
some of these were famous as composers of psalmody, and doubtless, any 
one of them could have set the story of a life to music ; and if requested 
to do so, would have sung such a composition upon any important occasion. 
Fortunately for me, is it^ that I have friends who are capable and willing 
to write for me, and who are more accustomed to such things as are found 
in this volume than I am ; though in school teaching and music teaching 
or in choir and concert music, like the old war-horse, " that scenteth the 
battle afar off," I feel that I could rush into the ranks, and do service as 
earnestly as could be expected of an old teacher who has been permitted 
to witness the frosts and snows of seventy winters. 

I cannot refrain from saying here how much real happiness my friends 
have given me ; and I lack language to express my thanks for the interest 
they have manifested for my success and welfare ; may God reward them 
for their goodness, and their liberality, to one who* has spent so many 
years in the cause of education, and who has had under his care more than 
five thousand pupils. Yours very truly, 

B, B. THOMPSON, 



13 



OUR COMMON SCHOOLS. 



The presentation of this topic to the people of New 
Enjiland has usually been, and may it ever be — like the 
raising of old Neptune's head from out the foam where 
the waves of party seas meet ; a calm ensues, in which 
we can take our observations of celestial lights, and find 
in what latitude and longitude of real life we are. The 
jealous and secret connivances, the prejudices, misconcep- 
tions and misrepresentations of political or private inter- 
ests have no place here. We need no caucuses to care 
for the management of our public schools ; for they are a 
theme of common interest, and common harmony, uniting 
the full co-operation of the whole community. None of 
us have anything to lose by our schools ; but all of us have 
something to gain ; a general system of instruction is so 
manifestly an advantage to every interest of society, that 
he would give but little proof of common sense, or com- 
mon education, or common humanity, who should either 
oppose it or be indifferent towards it ; it underlies all our 
life like the waters beneath the surface of the ground, for 
which we have but to dig, and we find it everywhere be- 
neath our feet ; it encompasses all our life, like the com- 
mon air and common light of heaven, to receive a full sup- 
ply of which, we have but to open our mouths and eyes. 
Most people feel, or profess to feel, an interest in the 
prosperity of our common schools ; and there is a reason 
for it; for in them, are collected our children. Parents 
desire, and society demands, that they be properly educa- 
ted, both mentally and morally, in order to fit them to per- 
form the duties of good citizens in their day and genera- 
tion. How important then is it, that all cherish the com- 
mon school system, so that it may fulfd its demands, in 
giving to the youth qf our country a sound and practical 
education. 



14 



MUSIC IN THE SCHOOL. 



I give it as my opinion, after patient investigation, here 
at home, and .elsewhere, that some easy and inexpensive 
plan of elementary instruction in music can be readily en- 
grafted upon the system of Common School Education, as 
we find it in New England and in many otiier sections of 
our common country. As to the benefit of such instruc- 
tion, if properly carried out, — its agency i:i the formation 
of a refined and melodious speech, its efficiency as a means 
of recreation and of discipline in the school-room and its 
humanizing influence upon both teacher and pupil, the 
best educators in other countries, and in our own, are now 
agreed. The almost universal abihty of children of the 
sciiool age to appreciate the sounds of the scale, and ac- 
quire some knowledge of music in its simpler forms, has 
been abundantly proved. It has often been said, with 
truth, that in this country we are too much accu^jtomed to 
devote all our attention to mere intellectual training, in the 
school-room and elsewhere ; neglecting the education of 
the heart and the development o\ the body ; and forget- 
ting that man's physical, intellectual, and moral natures, 
are so linked together that if one is neglected the others 
suff'er. If the body be weak and ailing, the intellect works 
at great disadvantage ; if the heart be wrong, the mind is 
more apt to do bad work than good. The best method of 
training the emotions is the exercising these which are 
healthful and pure, thus nourishing and strengthening 
them and driving out those which are impure. I have 
long held the opinion that music affords the readiest and, 
most eff'ectual means of doing this, in the school-room. 
All the kindlier feelings, the love of the true, the pure, 
the beautiful ; cheerfulness, contentment, love, are called 
forth and encouraged by music properly used. Music af- 
fords also a powerful means for soothing the angry pas-- 



1'5 

sions. Some teachers, besides myself, are undoubtedly 
familiar with the effect, (when circumstances have aroused 
angry, discontented feelings in the school-room) which a 
simple song, to appropriate words, introduced to dissipate 
the clouds and restore kindliness, has had, and some of 
my pupils know, and can to-day testify that music always 
had the desired effect, or nearly always ; though in one or 
two instances it failed ; hut I have often been informed 
that music and my violin, or fiddle, as some called it, had 
more to do in making my teaching valuable, and in hrlp- 
ing me to keep a yood sc/ioul, than the rod of correction. 

A WORD TO MUSIC-TEACHERS. 

Teachers of schools should use with earnest vigilance 
all proper and practicable means of moral influence. 
Those who regard not God, ■will not be likely to regard 
man ; nor will they have feelings of due self-respect. If 
the pupils of a school a^e so trained and influenced, that 
they dread wrong doinf]:; more than the jmnishment tiiat 
may he inflicted upon it, that scliool will be easily govern- 
ed, and the pupils will increase in that wisdom and knowl- 
edge which will not fail them for good, here or hereafter. 
In a school, much depends upon the master ; if he has 
good governing ability, firmness, self-control, judgment 
and a kind disposition, if he has the confidence of his pu- 
pils and good feeling pervades the entire number, the 
work of instruction will go progressively forward with reg- 
ularity and with little trouble. The judicious notice of 
minor misdemeanors will preclude those flagrant acts of 
misconduct, Avhich, when they occur deserve punishment. 
In regard to teaching music in the common school, I re- 
commend that the first attempts of the teacher be to gain 
the attention of the children by singing to them some easy 
melody, or melodic phrase, within the range adapted to 



IG 

their voices, and asking them to repeat it, as nearly as 
they can, l»y imitating the sounds given them. This, after 
a few trials, the majority of the scholars will do. Spend 
"whatever time is allovvi.'d in this way, and the class will 
have t iken their first lesson in music. It is purely a mat- 
ter of rote singing, of the easiest and sim])lest kind; the 
interest of the childrcni is excited, their attention aroused, 
their appreciation of musical sounds for the first time, it 
may be, awakened ; and a few lessons given in this ma,n- 
ner, will help them to begin the study. True rote-sing- 
ino;, however, is something very different from the hap- 
hazard singing we sometimes hear in schools where no 
regular instruction is given in music. It is an appeal to 
the imitative faculties, which children possess in so great 
a degree of perfection ; and hence the utmost care should 
be taken that the example be a proper model for imita- 
tion as regards method, style, purity, and correctness of 
tone, in the utterance of the simplest musical phrase. 
Even at this early stage in the musical instruction great 
attention should be given to the formation of a proper 
quality of voice ; and it will be well at once to illustrate, 
the difference between a good and bad quality, by exam- 
ples. T<^ach the pupils to use a smooth and pleasant in- 
tonation in speaking, in reading, in recitation and in sing- 
ing ; and above all, teach scholars to avoid a noisy use of 
the voice. I used to say to my pupils — "a loud noise is 
produced only by overstrainiu": the voice; it may be that, 
for a loud noise, some great singers are well paid, while 
for the same loud noise small children are punished ;" let 
teachers remember that men are much like wagons, they 
rattle prodigiously when there is nothing in them. Above 
all remember that good, kind, true, holy words, dropped in 
conversation with pupils, though they may be little thought 
of at the time, may prove like seeds of flowers, or fruitful 



17 

trees, falling by the way-side, borne by some bird afar, 
happily thereafter to fringe with beauty some barren 
mountain side, or to make glad some lonely wilderness. 

BENJAMIN BtlOWN THOMPSON. 

Bi B. Thompson, the youngest son of William and Han- 
nah Thompson, was born in Deerfield, New Hampshire, 
October 11, 1806. His father was a farmer ; and his fam- 
ily of thirteen children, seven daughters and six sons, [the 
two youngest being twins, of which B. B. Thompson was 
the last and smaller specimen,] were all brought up upon 
the farm, as farmer's children ; and they all received a 
common school education, such as children of the well-to- 
do farmers of that day generally received. The father 
died in lb 16, when the subject of this sketch was ten 
}ears of age ; and the farm was after that time, managed 
bj the mother and children as well as it could benianaged 
under the existing circumstances. Deerfield Was a large 
and quiet town, settled in 1756 ; and while the petition for 
the town was pending, Mr. Benjamin Batchelder killed a 
deer and presented it to Governor Wentworth ; and at the 
same time obtained the act or charter of the town, under 
the name of Deerfield ; as he represented the place as a 
favorite resort for deer and other animals, and said great 
numbers of them were annually taken there. The town 
was originally a part of the old township of Nottingham, 
Crom which it was disannexed, but it was not incorporated 
untif Jan. 8, 1766. The surface of Deerfield is Uneven, 
the soil durable and fertile, although hard to cultivate. 
The growth of wood is rock-maple, beech, birch, red-9ak, 
pine, hemlock, elm and various other kinds. The Thomp- 
son farm, though no better naturally than some other 
farms, was selected partly for its situation among lands 
belonging to friends of the family ; it was a farm of five 



18 

hundred acres, and the portion of it lying in Deerfield, af- 
ter the death of the owner, passed into the hands of the 
older brothers, and the part lying in Northwood was deed- 
ed to the younger brothers. Benjamin B., finally, after his 
marriage, disposed of his part of the Northwood farm, and 
went with his wife, to reside on the farm of her mother, 
known as the Bartlett place. 

The Thompson Farm, at South Deerfiehl. now contains 
about sixty acres of land, well divided into tillage, pastur- 
ing, wood and timber land ; it is a very even and smooth 
farm and has twenty acres of mowing ; there are upon it 
two meadows, a considerable garden and a pretty pond, 
which produces abundance of pond lillies. Mr. Thomp- 
son set out the lillies in his pond, and says he has four 
hundred bearing apple trees, one hundred and twenty 
pear-trees, sixty peach-trees, twenty cherry-trees, and a 
variety of other fruits ; and large strawberry beds. He 
considers his place as one of the most desirable farms in 
the State ; and its situation as every way pleasant ; it be- 
ing on the chief road for carriage and team from Concord 
to Exeter. The farm is W(;ll watered by never failing 
springs ; and upon it can be produced almost everything 
to make one contented and happy. He says the place 
can be made to show the best farm garden in Ntw Hamp- 
shire ; and that all his grass and grain fields can be mowed 
with a machine mower ; he has, himself, done nearly all 
the work on this farm for the past eight years, and has 
planted, in that time, two hundred maple trees upon* the 
place, without any one to assist him. 

DAVID THOMPSON. 

It has been believed, for generations, that one Captain 
Mason and the "Laconia Company," were the earliest set- 
tlers of New Hampshire ; but the ^'- Newburyport Herald'^ 



19 

says, that a "document, made public not long ago among 
the Winthrop papers, shows that David Thompson, (for 
whom Thompson's Island, in Boston harbor was named.) 
made a permanent settlement, at the mouth of the Piscat- 
aquies river, at least six years before the organization of 
the Laconia Company." It is known that the Hiltons 
were sent out by the original proprietors of Laconia, to 
found a plantation on the Piscataqua, to cultivate the vine, 
discover mines, carry on the fisheries and trade with the 
natives ; they arrived here, from London, early in 1623, 
and with their associates, made a stand at Dover neck, 
about seven miles from Portsmouth. David Thompson, 
and others, came over at the same time, and set down near- 
er the harbor. Thompson, the next year, 1624, retired 
into Massachusetts ; but the settlement at Portsmouth was 
not broken up. Capt. Edward Johnson, who wrote the 
'•'■Early History of Neiu Hampshire^' printed in London, 
1654, says "David Thompson was the first settler at Pas- 
cataquack, [Portsmouth,] in 1623." There may be, 
something not found in the Winthrop papers, contro- 
verting these facts ; but the evidence, if it exists, has not 
been made public ; and we may credit Johnson and others, 
until some evidence is offered to show that they were in 
error. Edward Winslow, in " Good Neivs from Neiv Eng- 
land,'' 1624, says : " In 1623, David Thompson, that 
spring, began a plantation at Pascataquack, where he 
liketh well." " Princes Neiv Erigland Chronicle,'' confirms 
the statement, and Hubhard says the same. From this 
David Thompson, [the first settler of Portsmouth, who 
moved to Massachusetts, and there possessed himself of a 
frui-tful island, which is in Boston harbor, between Mbon 
island and Dorchester, and about three miles from Long 
Wharf,] came the New Hampshire family of Thompsons ; 
and of this race were the Deerfield Thompsons. The present 



20 

race of Thompsons have but brief accounts of the disap- 
pomtments and dangers, toils and troubles which the first 
settlers had to encounter ; and imagination can do but little 
towards supplying the deficiency. We cannot picture to 
our minds, the difficulties they met, or the sufferings they 
endured. Ten years after the settlement of Thompson 
and his friends at Portsmouth, tJ^ey depended for their 
breadstuff upon England ; and the nearest mill, for grind- 
ing corn, was at Boston, Mass. A letter of July, 1633 
states that for a family of ten persons, there was then but 
half a barrel of corn, and that they had but one piece of 
beef or pork during three months. 

PROGRESS IN STUDY. 

Benjamin B. Thompson, so named for his grandfather, 
early gave evidence of a fondness for books and music ; 
though the family had none of them been noted as either 
students or musicians, except Daniel, who was a teacher 
and singer ; these two brothers sang in the choir and both 
were self educated performers upon the violin and violon- 
cello. At that early period, the advantages for obtaining 
a school education, or a musical education were small, 
and the number of persons who became qualified to teach 
day schools and singing schools was few ; but Benjamin, 
not only attended the district school but on account of his 
readiness and desire to learn, was permitted to attend the 
Select School, of Master James Hersey, at Deerfield Pa- 
rade ; where, at the age of eighteen years, he had made 
such progress as to be qualified for teaching a common 
school ; and between the years 1824 and 1827 he received 
further instruction at the Private School of Doct. Edward 
B. Moore, at Deerfield Centre ; and at the same time stud- 
ied music with this highly esteemed teacher and musician ; 
ke thus became -so far advanced, bj^ the united efforts of 



21 

Master Hersey and Dr. Moore, as to be able to keep a day 
school, in Nortliwood, in 1827. During his studies for 
the previous two years, he had also been a clerk in the 
store of Fellows & Sanborn, at the Parade. Gilman Fel- 
lows and Peter Sanborn, who was afterwards State Treas- 
urer, both took an interest in their young clerk, and aided 
him in becoming a teacher, as well as business man and 
trader. 

In 1827, young Thompson had made such progress in 
his studies that he received the following recommenda- 
tion : — 

Deeefield, Oct. 27tli, 1827. 

This certifies that the bearer, Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson, has for con- 
siderable time been a member of (his school. His moral deportment has 
been good. I consider him well qualified to teach an English school ac- 
cording to the requirements of the laws of New Hampshire. 

JAMES HERSEY, 

Instructor of the English. 

benjamin's first school. 
It appears by the following certificate, that Mr. Thomp- 
son commenced teaching, in tiie fall of 1827. 

NoRxnwooD, Jan. 4, 1828. 
This may certify that Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson has been employed 
to teach our school for about two months past. We have heenfuHi/ satis- 
jied with him as an instructor, and we believe he has given general satis- 
faction to the Disti-ict. Benjamin Coffin, 1 i^ommittee 

William Crockett, ! for 
Samuel Jamks, ( District 

John Bartlett. J No. 7. 

Previous to this time, it seems, young Thompson had 
received a certificate from the Rev. Mr. Wells, of his na- 
tive town, as follows : — 

It is hereby certified, that Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson is, in the opin- 
ion of the subscriber, a young gentleman of good moral character, and 
qualified to teach an English School as required by the laws of this State. 

NAT'L WELLS, 
Congregational Minister in said Deerfield. 
Deerfield, N. H., Oct. 28, 1827. 



22 

Thus, Mr. Thompson started, as a teacher of an Eng- 
lish school, with the recommendation of Master Ilersey 
and the certificate of the minister of his town. These ob' 
tained for him his iirst school ; and he kept it to the full 
satisfaction of the people of the District, in Northwood, 
and of the school committee, as has been shown. Keep- 
ing a common school at that day was not an easy, nor al- 
ways a desirable task ; pupils attended, from the age of 
ten, to the age of twenty ; and sometimes it required much 
tact and nerve to manage the disorderly ; but INIr. Thomp- 
son, somehow, had the faculty of commanding respect ; and 
with respect came obedience, lie had just become a man, 
being this year twenty one years of age ; and it was for- 
timate for him that his first school was a good one. 

METHOD OF TEACHING. 

Common school teaching as well as music teaching, was 
upon the old plan until about this time ; and it was not 
until about 1822, that the " Templi Carmina " presented 
the rudiments of music in the form of questions and an- 
swers. Mr. li. E. Moore, of Concord, was the first to pub- 
lish a " Musical Catechism," for the use of schools, and 
this admirable little work was very acceptable to singers 
and to those upon whom the business of teaching devolved ; 
because its pages comprised, in the simple manner of 
questions and answers, all that was necessary to be known 
or taught in common music schools. This Catechism was 
very generally used, and contained more information than 
was at that time to be found in any publication to be ob* 
tained. 

KORTHWOOD, N. H. 

This town, in which that portion of the old Thompson 
farm, belonging to the yoimger brothers was located, has 
an elevated site, and commands a distant and varied pros^ 



23 

pect; it is a place of considerable attraction for summer 
tourists, and a large number visit the town during their 
vacation season; at the highest point of the main street, 
one can see the ocean and overlook an immense tract of 
country. The soil is generally good, and being moist, is 
well suited to grazing ; there are no loss than eight ponds 
in the town ; and the waters flowing from the farm of 
Jonathan Clarke, Esq., fall into three different rivers. 
Mr. Clarke was one of the first settlers and a member of 
the State Legislature, lie, with Moses Godfrey, John 
Bachelder, Increase Bachelder and Solomon iiickford, 
were all prominent and influential men ; as were a later 
generation, including the Kev. Josiah Prentice, John Kel- 
ley, Joel 13. Virgin, Judge Harvey, Benjamin Coe, and 
others, who were the leading men in the town for many 
years. John Kelley, Esq., became well known, to the 
people of the State, by writing a very interesting narative 
of Mrs. Shutes captivity by the Indians, published by J. 
B. Moore, 1822. North wood was originally a part of Not- 
tingham ; and was settled in 1763. Solomon Bickford 
was the first child born in the town, which was not incor- 
porated until 1773. Rev. John L. Blake, known as the 
author of several valuable books*, was a native of North- 
wood. Among his books, many will remember " I'he His- 
torical Reader, " one of the best reading books in the 
schools. It abounded in those extraordinary incidents, 
which never fail to captivate the elastic and expanding 
minds of the young — which never fail to interest all, 
whether young or old, who read them — incidents which 
equal, if they do not surpass, the efforts of imagination as 
displayed in romance. Agriculture was formerly the bus- 
iness of the town ; but now there is a large attention to the 
shoe business. Northwood Academy was incorporated in 
1867 and stands in a beautiful location. The New Hamp- 



24 

shire Turnpike road, incorporfited in 1796, and rnnning 
from Tascataqiui bridge, Portsmoutli, to Concord, passes 
in a direct line from east to \Yest, eight miles through this 
town. Mrs. Sarah ^7ane Hale made this town the scene of 
her popnlar novel, in two vohimes, entitled " ^orthwood,'' 
which ixave her a name and fame as a writer. It was said 
that some of the ciiaractcrs represented in the work were 
citizens of the town. 

benjamln's farm. 

The farm in Northwood. belonging to the yonnger broth- 
ers, was sometimes called " Benjamin's "' farm, it being 
the first real estate that he ever owhed. Many think the 
name of Northwood, was derived from its pecnliar situa- 
tion or from the surveyor, Norwood ; others say it was 
named after Netherwood. in England. Gov. Sullivan said 
its Indian name signified •' a place where eels are taken ;'*" 
and that the river, passing through the place, originally 
abounded with them. There was a part of the town called 
by the Indians Gchcag ; and the immense forest, northwest 
of this place, was called north woods, from which the town, 
most likely, received its name ; its form is of the flat- 
iron pattern, like that of the State. The ancient tavern 
of the town had a swinsiing sign upon Avhicli an eagle was 
painted; this eagle, the keeper of an opposition house 
used to call a nicfhthawk ; but the hotels are now good. 
Yrosts come early here, as the land is high, and in 1813, 
the corn crop was so greatly damaged by frost, that some 
families had not any bread for weeks together. North- 
wood was a favorite hunting ground of the Indian ; a stone 
mortar, was found there, which weighed more than a hun- 
dred pounds ; also, stone pipes of curious workmanship ; 
and arrow heads, hatchets, and war clubs, in dilferen.t 
places. 



25 



AT RTE. N. H. 



In the fall of 1828, Mr. Thompson opened his first sing- 
mg school at Rye, N. H. He was introduced there by 
Thomas J. Parsons, Esq.,who was then the school com- 
mittee for that town, and afterwards was a State Council- 
lor and ever a prominent and influential man. Rye is a 
town pleasantly located on the sea-coast, and its name is 
supposed to have originated from a town in Great Britain, 
of the same name, from which some of its first settlers 
came. It began to be settled in 1635, and was incorpora- 
ted in 1719. The soil in this town, is in general hard and 
stubborn, and was not naturally fertile ; but by the hand 
of industry, and the help of various kinds of sea-weed, 
which the coast afl'ords in considerable abundance* and 
which is annually spread upon the farms, it is rendered 
vefy productive. Rye has about one third of the sea-coast 
in the State ; on the shore, there are three considerable 
and very pleasant beaches, to which many persons resort 
in the summer season, from neighboring towns, and the 
country, both for health and pleasure. There was former- 
ly a large fresh water pond, lying contiguous to the sand 
bank, or bounds of the sea, covering a surface of about 
three hundred acres ; between this and the sea, a commu- 
nication was opened by the old inhabitants about 1724, 
and the waters of the pond were discharged into the sea, 
leaving a tract of marsh, which, being washed and watered 
by the regular flowing of the tide, yields annually large 
quantities of salt hay. 

BREAKFAST HILL. 

This hill lies between Rye and Greenland, and is point- 
ed out as the place where a party of Indians were sur- 
prised at breakfast, at the time of their incursion in 1696. 
There are small circular holes in the rocks of whieh this 



26 

hill is principally composed, supposed to have been made 
use of by the natives. Rye has sufFei'ed considerably in 
times of war and danger ; in 1694, John Locke was am- 
bushed and killed by the Indians, while reaping grain in 
his field ; in 1696, at one time, twenty-one persons were 
either killed or carried away by the Indians ; in the Can- 
ada or French war, fourteen persons belonging to Ilye,- 
Were killed or died in service ; and in the revolutionary 
war, thirty-eight of its inhabitants lost their lives, by sea 
and land ; most of them young men. In the year 180J3, 
in less than three months, two hundred and thirty persons 
Were visited with sickness, of various kinds, in the town, 
while other towns, adjoining, enjoyed usual health. Blany 
persons, chiefly strangers, have at different times, losttheir 
lives, and been taken up, on, or near the coast, in Rye, to 
whom, though strangers, a decent burial was given, at- 
tended with those solemnities, which are usual on funeral 
occasions. It is a noticeable fact that for about ninety 
years after the town of Rye was settled, the'people had no 
settled minister of the gospel among them. Boat fishing 
was carried on here to considerable advantage, particular- 
ly in the fall and winter seasons. Rye Beach, as it is now 
called, draws annually, in the warm season, a crowd of 
people ; there are quite a number of cottages at Straw's 
Point, which place acquired celebrity by becoming the 
landing place of the ocean cable. There are now several 
excellent hotels at Rye, and in the summer season many of 
the farm houses become boarding houses ; bathing here is 
safe, and in every direction, in-land, the roads are good. 

FIRST SINGING SCHOOL. 

The singing school, in the olden time, was an import 
tant institution, patronized by the clergy, professional men, 
christian societies, religious men, heads of families and all' 



27 

who could well do anythins; to encourage and sustain mu- 
sic. Nearly all the old composers in this country were 
singing masters, or teachers of plain psalmody. Tlie sink- 
ing school was extremely popular in all New England, 
and almost every one having what was then called a " nat- 
ural voice," learned to sing while yoims; ; though it was 
believed in those days, that not all, but only those gifted 
with voices, could learn — and the first thing done in a 
school was to try the voices of the pupils, each voice sep- 
arately, before the assembled school, to see, and let others 
see, whether this and that individual had a voice or other- 
wise ; and the result was that some who were blessed with 
good voices, would be so frightened that they could not 
make a sound ; while some, with very harsh and unpleas- 
ant voices, having more conlidence, would make a loud 
noise and be considered as having good natural voices- 
Parents and teachers did not then know much about culti- 
vating the voice, and many who desired to learn music 
and who felt that they were capable of attaining to some 
degree of proficiency in singing, were deprived of the 
pleasure, as well as deterred from undertaking, on account 
of supposed want of voice, or the diificulties to be sur- 
mounted and obstacles they were told they would have to 
overcome. This seems strange to us now, when we know 
that music is a mathematical science; as easily accessible 
to all as chemistry, or any other science ; and more readi- 
ly acquired than the language of the intellect, — for in 
speech we often fail to understand one another ; hut when 
We use the language of the heart, song, we find one com- 
mon tongue which everybody understands. Myfirst class, 
was delighted, when informed that all who could learn to 
converse well, could also learn to sing; and every one of 
that class tried, and succeeded beyond expectation. I used 
the same questions and answers as had then been adopted, 
from Moore's Catechism, by other teachers. 



28 



AT GREENLAND, N. H. 

In 1829, Mr. Thompson taught music in Greenland anel 
in North Hampton, and for a time made music teaching a 
business, day and evening. This town, originally a part; 
of Portsmouth, was incorporated in 1703. The soil is re- 
markably good, and to-day is in a high state of cultivation ; 
the orchards and gardens, of this town, are generally valu- 
able, and yield annual profits to the owners. George 
Brackett, Esq., of this town, gave a fund of ^5000 in trust 
towards the support of a congregational minister ; and 
Rev. Samuel McClintock. D. D., born in Medford, Mass., 
1732, became settled as the minister, in 1756 ; he was a 
sound divine, eminent as a preacher, and distinguished for 
his attachment to the cause of his country. He served as 
chaplain in the army of the revolution, and died in 1804, 
aged 72. Greenland has been noted as a farming town, 
and one sees here many fine dwellings. Tavo railroads 
pass through the place ; the Portsmouth and the Eastern. 

AT NORTH HAMPTON, N. H. 

Here, as at Greenland, Mr. Thompson had excellent 
schools. This town, formerly constituting the parish call- 
ed North Hill, was early settled^ Major General Henry 
Dearborn, American minister at Portugal, was born here 
in 1750. In the early periods of the settlement, the peo^ 
pie were annoyed by the Indians j and garrison houses 
were erected, to which, during periods of danger the in- 
habitants resorted. About the year 1677, several persons 
were killed within the limits of the town ; but the Indians 
eventually were driven from the territory. Little Boar's 
Head is in this town, forming the northern boundary of 
Hampton beach ; it is about forty feet high and extends 
into the ocean ; there are a number of summer residences 
here and one or more large boarding houses. Great Boar's 



29 

Head, at Hampton beach, is not far from seventy feet 
high, and was so named because some thought it resem- 
bled the head of a wild boar ; on one side of this bluff 
there is a level space of some acres, on which stands a ho- 
tel ; and from this the views are splendid ; there are oth- 
er hotels and boarding houses near this beach. Hampton 
was formerly famous for its fisheries, which were carried 
on with great success ; and many fishermen used to go out 
to sea, from the beach, in whale boats and wherries, to the 
distance of four or five leagues. Hampton now is famous 
for its several beaches. 

In the fall of 1829, Mr. Thompson received from Dr. 
Edward B. Moore, a ripe scholar, who kept a select school 
at Deerfield, and also taught music there, the following : 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 

This may certify that Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson, the bearer, sustains 
a good moral character, is a young gentleman of good literary acquire- 
ments, and is well qualified to teach the branches of study commonly 
taught in our country schools. He is furthermore well versed in the prin- 
ciples of Sacred Afusic, and amply qualified to instruct the same. 

EDWARD B. MOORE. 

Deerfield, Oct. 12th, 1829. 

Dr. Moore, was born at Lancaster, N. H., in 1802, was 
an excellent teacher of English and of all the studies pur- 
sued in our academies and schools, as well as of vocal mu- 
sic ; he studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Brown of 
Deerfield ; became eminent in his profession and was 
prominent as a Freemason, of the highest degree. After 
several years of teaching, he established himself as a phy- 
sician and surgeon, at Epping ; from this place, after his 
marriage, he removed to Boston, Mass., and had an exten- 
sive practice in that city during his life. He was a gen- 
tleman of rare acquirements, a very skillful practitioner, 
and was greatly esteemed b^' all who knew him. He died 



30 

a,t Chelsea, in the fall of 1875, aged 73 years, to which 
place, with his family, he had removed a few years previ- 
ous to his death ; but he retained his practice in Boston, 
in which he was assisted by his son Samuel Lawrence 
Moore. Dr. Moore's two sons studied medicine, and his 
daughter married Doctor Cooke of Chelsea, who was also 
a teacher of schools, and a superintendent of schools. 

AT DEERFIELD, N. II. 

In 1830 and 1831, Mr. Thompson taught a day school 
in his native town, and singing schools in the evenings ; 
having two schools in Deerfield, and one in Candia. 
Among his best scholars in the day school, he can name 
John D. Philbrick, who became eminent as a scholar and 
teacher, and at length superintendent of the public schools 
in Boston, Mass. ; also, Grace Robinson, who became em- 
inent as a school teacher. Visitors to this town, will find 
Pleasant pond a beautiful body of water ; it lies partly in 
this town and partly in Northwood ; its waters are very 
clear, and on the margin, especially at the westerly end, 
are large quantities of line white sand, which the mothers 
and daughters use to sprinkle their floors, after the man- 
ner of the olden time. In the spring of 183 1 , Mr. Thomp- 
son had a school in Pittsfield. 

Tl|ii certifies that I hare examined Mr. Benjamin B. Tuompson, and in 
my opinion he is well qualified to teach a common sclioo., in all its branch- 
es, as the law directs. C. CLARK, 

One of the Superintending School Committee. 

Pittsfield, March 4, 1831. 

AT PITTSFIELD, N. H. 

Pittsfield has a very uneven and rocky surface, but its 
soil is generally fertile, and upon its river there are many 
mill seats. On Catamount mountain, from the summit of 
which the ocean is visible, is situated Berry's poud, which 



is siip|.)lied by springs in the mountain ; and a stream, is- 
suing from this pond, furnishes several mill seats. The 
town was settled in 1740. The spqtted fever raged liere 
in 1814, taking off eighty-four of the inhabitants. It is 
said that among the first settlers of Pittsfield there was a 
very good portrait painter ; but he found small business 
and did very little of that ; even Avhat he did paint was se- 
verely censured. At length, being offended by the cen- 
sure of his friends, he planned a way to test their knowl- 
edge of his art. He made arrangements with John Cram, 
another old settler, and gave notice that he had just finish- 
ed a portrait of this well known citizen. The people of 
the town were invited to call and examine it ; they did so, 
and nearly all of them, without hesitation pronounced it 
the very worst attempt that had been made at a likeness ; 
but they were somewhat astonished to hear the words — 
" you are mistaken, friends, for it is me, John Cram. " 
The words were spoken by the man himself, who had en- 
tered into the stratagem of the painter, and who stood with 
his head put through the canvass, while the other parts of 
his person were cunningly concealed. The painter, after 
that time, was master of the situation, and though he had 
few portraits to paint, did a good business at painting tav- 
ern signs ! There has been a wonderful improvement of 
this town since its railroad has been finished ; and it is 
now famous as a manufacturing town, and is a place of 
considerable trade. The fire, of 1872, w^as damaging, but 
the burned district is filling up with better buildings. 

PREJUDICES. 

When Mr. Thompson commenced teaching music, many 
people thought that Americans did not, and could not, 
know anything of the art ; and this opinion had been so 
long sounded in the ear, that nearly all were slow to be- 



32 

lieve that others know better than themselves ; but the ob- 
ject and solemnity of music soon began to be seriously con- 
templated ; ministers and officers of the church began to 
express their views on the subject, and the public, gener- 
ally began to be interested in the cause. Next, articles 
were inserted in the warrants for town meetings, to see if 
money could be raised for singing schools and for the en- 
couragement of music ; sometimes with success, but often- 
er without it. 

A DEPUTY SHERIFF. 

In January 1, ]83'2, Mr. Thompson married Mrs. Ange- 
lina Bartlett, of Deerfield and in April of that year kept 
the public house in South Deerfield, which had long been 
a favorite old fashioned tavern on the main road and had 
been continued in the good old style, as an Inn, for the ac- 
commodation of man and beast. 

This year Mr. Thompson was appointed a Deputy Sher- 
iff, under Benjamin Jenness, and held the office while 
Jenness as High Sheriff, held his appointment. The Jen- 
ness family were influential people; Hon. Richard Jen- 
ness, was respected as a magistrate, representative, sena- 
tor and judge of the court of common pleas ; he died July 
4, 1819, aged 73. In the west part of the town of Deer- 
field, on the southerly side of a ridge of rocks which ex- 
tend three fourths of a mile, is a natural formation in the 
rock, for sixty years, or a hundred, designated as the " In. 
dlan Ca7np ; " its sides are irregular, and the top is covered 
by a canopy of granite, projecting about fourteen feet, af- 
fording a shelter from the sun and rain. On the east side 
of this camj) is a natural flight of steps, or stones resem- 
bling steps, by which persons may easily ascend to the top 
of the rock. The Indians of this country were divided 
into many small tribes, governed by their sachems, or 



33 

kings, and were often at war with each other; their dress 
in summer consisted chiefly of a slight covering about the 
waist; in winter they clothed themselves with the skins of 
wild animals ; they were extremely fond of ornaments 5 
and on days of festivity and show, they were painted with 
Various colors, and profusely ornamented with shells, beads 
and feath(jrs ; their habitations, which were called wig^ 
warns, were constructed by erecting a strong pole for the 
centre, around which other poles, a few feet distant, were 
driven, and fastened to the centre pole at the top ; then 
the wigwams were covered with mats and bark of trees, 
which rendered them a sheker from the weather. Their 
Warlike instruments and domestic utensils were few and 
simple ; consisting of a tomahawk, or hatchet of stone^ 
bows and arrows, sharp stones, and shells ; which they 
tised for knives and hoes ; and stone mortars for pounding' 
their corn. For money they used small beads, curiously 
wrought from shells, and strung on belts, or in chains, 
called wampum. It is related of Kev. Timothy Upham, 
the first minister of Deerfield, that he once had occasion to 
address a letter, to the Legislature, at Exeter, upon some 
town business ; and the Clerk of the court read the letter, 
in which there seemed to be this remarkable sentence : — " 1 
address you not as members of the court, but as India7i 
devils;'' at which the clerk hesitated, looked at it careful-^ 
ly, and said— ^" yes, he addresses you as Indian devils ! " of 
course the wrath of the honorable body was aroused ; they 
at once passed a vote of censure, and wrote to the rever- 
end gentleman for an explanation ; from which it appear^ 
ed that he did not address them as members of the Great, 
and General Court, but as individuals ! wishing each hon- 
orable member to personally consider what he had written, 
and act according to their individual convictions of right ; 
•'^— the words " but as individuals," was supposed, by the 
clerk, to be, but as Indian devils, 



34 



AT SALISBURY, MASS. 

In 1834, 1835 and 1836, Mr. Thompson carried on his 
father's farm ; and though this kept him ])retty busy, he 
kept one day school in Deerfield, and had several singing 
schools, evenings, during those years ; and in the Fall' of 
the latter year, it appears by the following certificate that 
he had a school in Salisbury, Mass. 

This is to certify that Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson has produced to us 
satisfactory evidence of his moral character and hterary qiiaUfications. 
We, therefore approbate him as being duly competent to instruct in the 
common branches of Education usually taught in our common schools, 
agreeably to the Statute of this Commonwealth. 

CYRUS DKARBORN,) o, in 

T 13 n \ T T> r ochool Lommi tee. 

J. B. GALE, ) 

Salisbury, Mass., Nov. 23, 1836. 

THE BEACFI. 

Among the many attractions about this good old town 
may be mentioned the Salisbury Beach, which has always 
been and now remains famous as a summer resort ; now 
everything there is improving ; new houses are going up 
and old ones are being enlarged. It is a place easy to get 
at and pleasant when you are there. The Beach is a good 
place for eating dinner, smoking, rolling ten pins, walk- 
ing, riding or bathing. The descent is so gradual as to be 
almost imperceptible, and bathers can wade off to a great 
distance without going over their depth, or being in dan- 
ger from the undertow, which always exists on bolder 
shores. At low tide, the flats extend for an eighth of a 
mile in width, affording a drive, of half a dozen miles in 
length, over sand almost as hard as marble. Fishing off 
shore is sometimes found excellent; a friendly boatman 
who took me out to fishing ground, informed me that the 
Quakers were among the earliest religionists in the valley 
of the Merrimack dissenting from the Puritans ; and that 



35 

in 1659, one Thomas Macy, of Salisbury, was fined thirty 
shillings for sheltering three Quakers, in his house, for 
three quarters of an hour, during a violent rain storm. 
The Quakers were afterwards hanged in Boston! In 1716, 
he told me a fast was observed in Newbury, the next town 
to Salisbury, that the people of that region might unite in 
prayer to God that He would prevent the spread of Quak- 
ers ! Such Avas Puritan religion in the early days ! Salis- 
bury and Amesbury were originally one town, which was 
incorporated by the name of Colchester ; but it received 
the name of Salisbury in 1640. The town was divided in 
f 668 by the river Pow-Wow, and the territory on the north 
side was called Amesbury, a town now famous foritsman- 
ufacturing business and for carriage making ; and Salis- 
bury is on the south side. Caleb Cushing, U. S. Commis- 
sioner to China, 1843, was a native of Salisbury. The 
Amesbury and Salisbury Mills are now one company. 

THE GREAT SCHOOL. 

The first meeting of the Boston Academy, in 1833, gave 
an opportunity for all, that desired, to prepare themselves 
for teaching music. The school became popular, and to 
secure employment as teachers, many attended the annual 
meetings, until they knew, or pretended to know the sys- 
tem there taught. Many, who went there with bad hab- 
its of singing, went away with the same habits still cling- 
ing to them ; but they could refer to the Academy. The 
teachers in that school sometimes gave exaggerated ex- 
amples, in order to present their meaning in strong col- 
ors ; the scholars Would catch the idea, as represented, 
and when they went away would apply these examples in 
their schools or choirs in a perfectly ridiculous manner and 
all the while suppose they were teaching music as taught 
in the Boston Academy, Later, the school improved : 



36 

and, in 1836, Mr. Thompson broke away from the Farm 
to attend the Boston Academy of music, under the instruc- 
tion of Mason and Webb. He now changed his method 
of teaching music from the old Fa, Sol, La, system to that 
of the Pestalozzian, a system used in this country by Low- 
ell Mason, as his own ; who also used many compositions 
of foreign writers and secured them as the property of the 
Boston Academy, and to himself. 

JOHN HENRY FESTA1.0ZZI. 

In the year 1745, January 12, there was bom to Doctor 
Pestalozzi, (a physician well known in the good old city 
of Zurich, in Switzerland,) a son, who at his christening, 
received the name of John Henry. The father soon after 
died, and as he possessed no fortune save his professional 
income, the wife and son were left to poverty. This sou 
was afterwards known throughout the world for his sys- 
tem of teaching ; and his principles of teaching, in his 
common schools, hate beeii applied in music schools with 
great success. The name is pronounced Pes-tah-lot-ilee. 
He married Anne Schulthess, the daughter of a wealthy 
merchant, and commenced teaching in his ow n family ; 
and his method was such as to attract the attention of the 
government ; a school was founded that became very cele- 
brated — so famous, itideed, that Princes came to visit it, 
and Kings sent their wise men to learn of Pestalozzi. He 
did not teach music, but his principles of teaching were 
so plain they were applied in different schools. From Mr. 
Mason's use of this system, which many thought was his 
own, it was by some supposed that it applied to music 
alone, and that it meant the use of the black-board, and 
other contrivances of modem methods ; while some con- 
nected it principally with the use of the syllables do, re, 
me ; and yet others with the divisions of the subjects. 



37 

Rhythmics, Melodies, and Dynamics, for which they gave 
Lowell Mason the credit of introducing, with all other of 
the Pestalozzian reforms. In its essense, Pestalozzianism 
consists of a few principles, so pure and potent, that, ap- 
plied to the acquisition of any science, they make every 
step, from the beginning to the end, so plain, that " the 
wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein; " an(? 
so full of friendly interest, that he is sure to travel tW 
right way. Pestalozzi, the teacher, died at Brugg, F^ 
27, 1827, at the age of 82 years. The system claimer ^J 
Mr. Mason as his " Pestalozzian, " was written by f^^^S 
Hans Nageli, a composer and music publisher, and p-^^- 
ed by him in 1812 ; the work was much used in ^^ ope 
and America. Mr. Thompson used it after h-atnig it 
spoken of by William C. Woodbridge, who wa? t" a first 
to advocate the expediency and practicability o introduc- 
ing vocal music as a branch of common schoo *• lucation, 
in Si lecture at Boston, Mass., before a conyer^'^ '^ ^^ *®^^^- 
ers representing eleven States of the Umoji m^ this was 
before Mr. Mason had claimed it as his s, tern, and before 
he had published his Boston Academ- ^I^nual, or any 
books advocating the system. A, N. J^^-^^on, of Boston 
used the same method in his schools, ^^ m"8ic classes ; 
he also published some books on the »'-^^^ P^^^' 

AT KENSINGTON, f • 

In 1837, Mr. Thompson gave ^ ^e attention possible 
to the farm in Deerfield ; but h. had singing schools m 
Amesbury, Salisbury and Ken-^gton. 

♦The town of Kensington i' ^^^-^ square in form, and 
has no streams of any note, v.s surface is pretty even; 
there is but one pond in tho town, and that is small, deep, 
and muddy. The town ' vrs incorporated in 1737, just one 
hundred years ago from this scbQQlj and Mr. Thqmp- 



38 

son, in alluding to this fact, spoke of the benefit of Festi- 
vals and celebrations, though at that time it had not be- 
come fashionable to celebrate town anniversaries or cen- 
tennials. 

NEW ENGLAND FESTIVALS. 

Among all these there are none which liave longer been 
held sacred than Thanksgiving and Neiv Yearns days. On 
'^ ese occasions, it has been usual to witness unostenta- 
ti' is manifestations of joy and gratitude, and the indul- 
g^'i'^e of all the happy feelings which adorn our nature, 
ana oread abroad their kindly influence in society. How 
man\'j^-,ppy faces have those festivals smiled upon, and 
how ]') o will they be remembered in thankfulness ! So 
nearly ' 4ed are they to the habits and aff"ections of New 
Englanciieiijthat the custom will exist among them, where- 
ever they Vavel, and will descend forever to their posteri- 
ty. When he harvest is gathered, and the husbandman 
is surrounde. hy the fruits of his labors and the smiles of 
Providence, ^^ ndulgence of these feelings of gratitude 
and joy, is cal u ^ed to heal the animosities which arise 
among men— t *i]ay the ill-will and soften the pride of 
the rich and arro^nit — to revive kindliness of feeling, and 
those warm and gt lerous charities which redeem us from 
the grossness of ou- nature. The commencement of a 
new year, from the g icty of childhood to the quivering 
responses of old age, i. an interesting era. Time seems 
to have marked a pern: j ^ the calendar ; and thousands 
resolve with the new hoi .. y.^ar, to adopt a new course of 
life— to seek virtue, if the. have lost her guidance— to re- 
turn to the paths of joy and i^oodness, if they have ever 
been estranged. Would tL i none of these resolutions 
were vain ! The close of a ye u should be devoted to re- 
flection upon what has passed the incidents of puy lif§ 



39 

should be reviewed, that if possible instrw tion may be 
gathered from them, and time be not suffered to pass by 
us, without our plucking from his hand those benefits he 
would carry into oblivion. The llomans celebrated the 
beginning of the year, which they called Kalends, and on 
the first day their magistrates were sworn into office. It 
was also customary to reciprocate good wishes, and inter- 
change presents with their friends. Other nations have 
observed various rites and ceremonies on the commence- 
ment of each new year ; and the list of fasts and festiva^ 
has in this country now become more lengthy as the cov 
try has grown in size and population ; for ail which le^* 
be thankful. 

AT HOME. 

During the years 1838 and 18:]9, Mr. Thonr^^'^^ ^^' 
mained much at home ; he kept a day school in eerfield 
and a singing school ; but devoted considerable ^'^^^ ^^ ^^® 
study of harmony. Thorough Bass and the 0y2'^ studies 
which he thought had been already too Ion neglected. 
He also, on every chance occasion, when co^^i'^i^o with 
friends of education, called attention to thfsubject of mu- 
sic in the schools. Good reading, we all .-now, is an im- 
portant object in our system of instructid in the schools. 
Good reading depends apart from em ])^^'isis, on two things 
mainly, modulation and articulation; now, modulation 
comes from the vowel sounds, and trticulation from the 
consonant sounds, having a direct cjnnection with rheto- 
ric. In fact, the daily sounding of the consonants and 
vowels, deliberately, distinctly, ad by themselves, as they 
are sounded in the musical lessr as given according to the 
Pestalozzian system of instruct on, would be as good an 
exercise in the elements of harmonious and correct speech 
as could be imagined. All \oices, great and small, bass 



40 

and shrill, Aveak or soft, may be improved and brought to 
a good point by learning to sing. An alternation is need- 
ed in our schools, which, without being idleness, shall yet 
give rest. Vocal music seems exactly fitted to afford rec- 
reation ; a recreation, yet not a dissipation of the mind ; a 
respite, yet not a relaxation ; its office would thus be to 
restore the jaded energies, and send back the scholars with 
invigorated powers to other more laborious duties. It is 
the practice in some schools to commence the day with he- 
lming exercises of devotion, and vocal music would min- 
•" with these exercises beautifully, giving unity, harmo- 
*'3and meaning to what is sometimes a lifeless or unfruit- 
luinyvice. Such were some of the arguments which Mr. 
^^^pson used to favor the introduction of music in the 
comi. ,1 schools, 

OBJECTIONS OF COMMITTEES, 

It Wji frenerally objected that singing depended upon a 
natural c; foj- music, without which all instruction would 
be useles^^ that the time spent would be quite inadequate 
to the end | op^sed, and that the labor of a life is needed 
to form the r,isir>ian ; that if one accomplishment is in- 
troduced into n^ schools why not another — and if instruc- 
tion is given in ocal music, why should it not be given in 
dancing also ? I was, by some, thought that the intro- 
duction of vocal mysic into the schools would impair disci- 
pline ; that it was a newly fashioned notion, and an inno- 
vation upon old usag... and therefore ought to be opposed 
as something unfit for he school room. Other objections 
were made, but these w,-re the most often mentioned. Mr. 
Thompson had to meet'^. id do away with all such objec- 
tions before he could veni re to introduce music into any 
of the schools where he wa employed as teacher ; but he 
labored valliantly for music, and the answers he gave to 
objections, some of them, were such as produced good im- 
pressions. 



41 



AT LOWELL, MASS. 

tn l840, Mr. Thompson and his family moved to Low- 
ell, where he had taught singing school, and was elected 
teacher of the Grammar School in that then flourishing 
place, the largest manufacturing town in New England. 
He had some friends there who knew him ; but his chief 
reliance for obtaining the place of teacher, beyond what 
those of his acquaintance might say of him, was upon the 
following recommendations : — 

Lowell, Oct. 26, 1840. 

This certifies that t hflve been acquainted with the bearer, Mr. Benja- 
min B. Tliorapson for several years past, and I can cheerfully recommend 
him, is a gentleman, who sustains a good moral character. 

JOHN W. GKAVES. 

The bearer, Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson, is a gentleman of good moral 
character. He has beeri several timea employed in teaching within my 
knowledge, and has always given satisfaction. 

DAVID WELLS. 
Lowell, Nov. 30, 1840. 

At the time of his election as a teacher in Low^-l, Hi: 
Thompson was employed as a singer in Tewk'^ury and 
was also teaching in Billerica ; but his call to Lowell was 
considered the loudest, and though he was st))ngly urged 
to remain in iTewksbury, he left there to commence his 
labors in Lowell, in 1841 ; but after finishixg his school, 
returned to Tewksbury. While in Lowel he became a 
performer upon the organ, and this accmiplishment was 
of value to him in after life, as it was -.bout that time a 
matter of some importance for a teacher and leader of 
church choirs to be able to perform jpon the organ, then 
becoming fashionable in churchei, which twenty years 
previous, would have protested with holy horror against 
the profane use of an ungodly bj\ of whistles in the house 
of the Lord, on the Sabbath (by.. 

The following certificate sAows that the teacher now 



42 

had no lark of opportunities for "keeping school" if he 
contrived to teach in all the places where he was appro- 
bated. 

Tliis certifies that Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson has been approbated, by 
the General Scliool Committee of the town of Billerica, to instruct the 
Bchool in District No. 4, in said town the ensuing winter. In behalf of 
said Committer. MARSHALL PRESTON, 

Billerica, Dec. 3, 1840. One of said Committee. 

The city of Lowell is so well known in all the land, that 
Ave need only say that it was built for a place of manufac- 
turing cotton cloths and printed calicoes; and that it grew 
as people possessing a genius for mechanics became set- 
tlers ; constantly increasing in consequence as patient, 
skillful, inventors and artizans swelled its population, un- 
ti) England acknowledged that Lowell was a rival of her 
Manchester. One of the Sons of old Deerfield, went to 
Lowell when a boy, grew up with the place and iilangiir- 
ated eriterprises which have added largely to the prosperi- 
ty of tj.- great manufacturing city. He was one of the 
«"3nool m ^es of Mr. Thompson, at Deerfield Parade. This 
son of Dee^eld, is now Gen. Benjamin F. Butler. Low- 
ell was knovn as " the city of spindles," in 1883 ; in 1821 
there were lus than a dozen houses on the ground which 
how sustains tie city ; and the first wheel of the Merri- 
mack Company was set in motion, Sept. 1823 ; the toiim 
of Lowell was imorporated in 1826 ; and the place be- 
came a city in 18:jS ; the Boston and Lowell railroad was 
opened for travel in lune, 1835. 

LTLLERICA, MASS. 

This town was granted to the inhabitants of Cambridge, 
m 1642; it was originalh called Shmvsin, from the river 
on which it is situated, but received the name' Billerica in 
1655 ; that being the name of the town in England from 
which many of the first inhabitants emigrated. The early 



43 

settlers of this place wore of reputal)le families, and a con- 
siderable portion of them were persons of education. 
John Stearns was the first person born in Bilhn'ica. All 
persons unknown to the townsmen, desirous of becoming 
inhabitants, were required to bring a certificate from the 
place whence' They came, exhibiting such testimony as 
should be satisfactory as to character ; persons havinjx ser- 
vants gave bonds to the town that they would maintain 
them ; inhabitants could not sell their hmds without per- 
mission from the town. In lG7o, the Indians becam.e 
troublesome and killed Timothy Farley ; this caused the 
first erection of garrison houses. In 1680 a writing and 
reading school was tauijht by Joseph Thompson. In 
1692, the witchcraft delusion extended to this town ; and 
Rev. George Burroughs was executed in the town; his 
wife was executed for witchcraft at Salem village. The 
riiiht of the Indians to this territory was acknowledged by 
the English, and purchased from them in 1634 ; after 
which the Indian plantation was separated from the En- 
glish by a ditch ; and the Indians had fortifications on 
Fort Hill, and were in some degree civilized ; cultivated 
land, planted apple trees and imitated the English in many 
things. After 1692 the Indians were again very trouble- 
some ; and entering the town murdered several persons; 
it was estimated that at least fifteen were killed, though 
some of them may have been taken as captives. The In- 
dians were immediately pursued, but so effectually had they 
taken precautions in their flight, that all efforts to find them 
were unavailing. It was said that they even tied up the 
mouths of their dogs with wampum, from the apprehen- 
sion that their barking would discover the direction they 
had taken. 

MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS. 

Mr. Thompson, when he went to Lowell, introduce! 



44 

music into the schools of that place, and was the only 
teacher of music in the schools; he also had evening sing- 
ing schools there, until 1842 in the Fall, when he return- 
ed to Billerica and Tewksbury. He proclaimed that na- 
ture bestows the aptitude to excel on different individuals 
in very different degrees ; what is called a musical ear, is 
mainly the result of cultivation. The ear discriminates 
sounds as the eye colors ; they may both be cultivated and 
educated. Early impressions can create an ear for music. 
It is with learning to sing, as with acquiring the pronun- 
ciation of a foreign language. Instruction, to be availa- 
ble, must be given while the organs have the flexibility of 
youth ; to learn late in life is, generally, to learn not at 
all ; there may be cases, it is true, of some who from their 
earliest years defy all efforts of instruction ; like those who 
come into the world maimed in other senses; they are, 
however, rare ; they are unfortunate exceptions to a gen- 
eral rule. Experienced teachers say that out of several 
hundred children in schools they meet with very few who 
cannot be made to sing. One teacher, who has had many 
pupils, says, that out of four thousand who had been un- 
der his care, there was not one individual who could not 
be learned to sing. 

The wife of Mr. Thompson died at Lowell, Jan. 1842, 
aged 38 years, leaving one daughter and four sons. He 
never married again. In that year he taught the Fall 
school, as appears, in Billerica. 

This certifies that Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson has been approbated by 
the General School Committee, to instruct the school in District No. 4, the 
ensuing winter. In behalf of said Committee. M. PRESTON, 

Billerica, Nov. 30, 1842. One of said Committee. 

After the school term in Billerica, in 1843, Mr. Thomp- 
son, and his children, returned to Deerfield ; and he was, 
for a time, employed by Hon. Richard Jenness, of Ports- 



45 

mouth, to sell wagons and carriages for him ; a business 
requiring only the common talent of trade and dicker. 
This engagement lasted during the spring and summer of 
that year. Mr. Jenness, who was a native of Deerfield, 
donated to the town five thousand dollars ; the interest of 
which is annually appropriated for the benefit of the 
schools ; and F. P. James, Esq., also a native of Deerfield, 
but residing in New York, presented the town with three 
thousand dollars, for the purpose of building a school 
house in the district where he formerly lived ; and with a 
fund calculated to give the scholars of that school all the 
advantages they could obtain in any other place. Such 
men will not be forgotten by the people of their native 
town ; nor will the present generation forget other influ- 
ential men, such as Gates Cilley, John S. Jenness, 
Nathaniel Wells, Horatio G. Cilley, Peter Jenness, Na- 
thaniel White, Thomas Brown, Judge Butler, Stephen 
Brown, who gave a hell for the meeting-house, while his 
wife gave an organ for the choir; or good old master Fran- 
cis D. Randall, who did so much for music in his day. 

AT WILMOT, N. H. 

In the fall of 1843, Mr. Thompson, with his children 
went to Wilmot, and spent the winter there, teaching a 
day school, and two singing schools, evenings; at the 
same time having a singing school in Andover. Before 
commencing the school in Wilmot, he was examined by 
the committee, from whom he received the following : — 

This certifies that Mr. B. B. Thompson is quahfied to instruct primary 
schools agreeably to the laws of the State of New Hampshire. 

H. N. MASON, ) Superintending School Committee 
C. H. SMITH, I of Wilmot. 

Wilmot, N. H., Dec. 4, 1843. 

WILMOT. 

The fourth New Hampshire turnpike from Concord to 



46 

Hanover passes througli this town ; it was made in 1803, 
through an entire forest without any inhabitants for four- 
teen miles above, and about six miles below Wilmot. 
The land near tlie turnpike was rough and barren ; but 
the acclivities on either side were susceptible of cultiva- 
tion. The town is composed of hills and valleys, present- 
ing a rough surface ; there is no large collection of wa- 
ter, nor any mountains, excepting Kearsarge, whose sum- 
mit forms the southern boundary. The town was origi- 
nally granted in 1775, and was incorporated in 1807. It 
received its name in honor of Dr. Wilmot, an English- 
man, who was at one time supposed to be the author of 
the celebrated letters of Junius. The town is a farming 
one, though within a few years there has grown up con- 
siderable manufacturing business in lumber, woolen goods, 
&c. The famous VVinslow House is in this town, upon 
Kearsarge mountain, and is well patronized by summer 
boarders. The scenery is wild and attractive ; and in the 
olden time, the' stage coach and heavy baggage wagons 
were the principal vehicles of locomotion through on the 
turnpike road. ^ 



MUSICAL ADDRESS. 



DELIVERED BY BENJAMIN B. THOMPSON, 

AT IHK CLOiE OF HIS SIXGIXG SCtloOL, 

AT WILMOT, N. H., 1843. 

Ladies and Gkntlemp:n : — Music is the language of the heart ; or in 
otlier words, it is the language of the sympathies, the passroiis, the emo- 
tions and affections. It is intimately connected with our fondest and dear- 
est recollections ; revivc^d by the most ready, touching and powerful asso- 
ciations ; it sheds its radiant light upon tlie sad and melancholy vestiges 
of the past, while it kindles into joyous and rapt anticipations our hope of 
the eternal future. 

In its origin, music must have been exceedingly rude and simple ; it 
probably had its origin in the language of the passions and emotions,, 
which has been termed natural language. V>y this language all the tribes 
of animate nature have expressed their pleasures and their pains, in native 
and appropriate accents, while inanimate nature has tuned the " Music of 
the spheres " in sweet and happy concord. There is no distinction of mu- 
sical sounds, either long or short, high or low, soft or loud, which has not 
been constantly sustained nearly 6000 years in this grand oratorio, the 
" music of the sphere's, " performed in exact time and in perfect harmony. 
Music is the voice of God in nature's self. At creation's birth, " the morn- 
ing stars sang together, hj-mning their great creator. " When w^e con- 
template the universe of suns and planets thus put in motion by their great 
originator, singing " the hand that made us is divine, " who shall wonder 
that man, endowed, as he is, with powers of mind, " a little lower than the 
angels," should have imitated some few of the strains and endeavored to 
perpetuate many of the passages which he might select from this univer- 
sal chorus. 

The gentle Zephyr whispers its melody tc nature's children, the winds 
sweep among the towering cedars, or murmur along the deep forest ; the 
rivulet ripples from the rocky mountain's side, or glides along the greea 
meadow in slow, soft and sweeter undulations ; the foaming cataract thun- 
ders from the heaven high Niagara, or sweeps in Amazonian strength and 
majesty to the vast ocean ; thus every sound, in infinite variety, has its- 
peculiar power to charm the ear, gratify the eye, and command attention 



48 

Music will excite the passions and sympathies to the highest pitch, or 
calna and soothe the boisterous elements of human madness. It cheers the 
cottager in his toil and moderates the hauteur of the restless autocrat. The 
King on his throne calls to his aid the influence of music to animate him, 
to sweeten his cares and to relax his excited and exhausted faculties ; 
while his most abject subject finds a solace for distress in some sweet and 
simple air of his childhood, which has outlived the memory of man in the 
annals of his native country, and has been long known only as the off- 
spring of legendary narrative. The poor man, while sorrow sits upon 
him, causing deep melancholy, will still sing those sweet strains which he 
does not remember to have learned, and perhaps weep over the happy 
prosperity of by-gone days. By the influence of music, wars have been 
excited and prolonged, as well as peace hastened and concluded. The 
red man of the forest, in his war-song, finds that which excites even to 
madness, his simple, wild, and impassioned nature ; think not there is no 
music to him in the wild strains of the dreadful war-whoop ; for these 
sounds incite him to victory, to liberty, or death, while the mournful death- 
song serves to allay those pangs of mortal hate which are the legitimate 
fruits of savage ferocity and fiendish malignity. The infant is lulled to 
sweet and quiet repose by the simple and easy lullaby of maternal affec- 
tion ; youth is fired with joyous and ardent enterprise, by some sweet and 
simple song ; the warrior forgets his toils, and disdains the terrors of the 
battle-field, while listening to the sublime strains of some " Marseilles 
Hymn. " or '' God save the King ; " the absent soldier weeps when he 
hears the songs of his youth, but can face the cannon's mouth, nor know 
dismay or fear ; the grey-headed, veteran emigrant, can hear with indiffer- 
ence anything but the lays of sportive innocence and the airs of virtuous 
and happy childhood ; dear, to him, are the scenes of youth, though they 
are past; beautiful is the music of nature ; but far dearer the simple and 
touching melody of the human voice. 

Music is of two kinds, vocal and instrumental ; the human voice is far 
more beautiful and perfect than any instrument ever yet invented by 
man ; the nearest a})proximation to the human voice is the height of per- 
fection in a musical instrument ; but surely, no human skill can ever so well 
adapt the several parts of a musical composition upon an instrument to 
one another, as they can be produced by human voices, much less can any 
instrument ever produce tones equal to the several parts, which the vocal 
organs in man, are capable of producing, when cultivated. I am informed 
that Prof. Muzzey of Hanover, said, that nine hundred sounds are appre- 
ciable to the human ear ; and, that the muscles, in connection with the 
glottis, intrinsio and extrinsic, may produce almost any imaginable number 



49 

of vocal changes ; afid from liis statement, as well as from numerous other 
considerations, I btlieve that in church choirs, the instrumental part should 
never be suffered to pi-edominate or take the ascending, but should always 
be subordinate to the vocal department. 

In this connexion we pass from our previous consideration of music in 
general, and take a more limited view ; confining our remarks, as much 
as practicable, to Sacred Music ; and we will meet her, as with open 
hands, and speak of lier with that freedom in which we speak of a long 
tried friend and of a near and dear acquaintance. We now recognize mu- 
sic as one of the sciences. Music has ever existed, and has long been 
worthy of cultivation as an art, and as a science ; her influence has been 
felt upon taste, pohteness, literature, and civilization, ever since man exist- 
ed ; the embellishments of society, and the fine arts, have never flourished 
to any extent elsewhere than among the most polished, as well as the most 
powerful, nations ; and the inseparable relation between Music, Poetry, 
Drawing, Painting, and other ornamental branches of education, prove 
their absolute necessity to the greatest prosperity, enlightenment, and hap- 
piness of any people. 

We recognize Sacred Music not only as one of the graces and orna- 
ments of society, but as one of those useful sciences which are adapted to 
polish the manners and improve the mind ; we believe the practice of mu- 
sic increases health, heightens the force of poetical language, and is the 
graceful handmaid of devotion. Once it was the general belief that certain 
individuals were born Poets, Philosophers, Physicians, Surgeons, Musi- 
cians, Artizans, &c., and time was, when some sapient head, supposed to 
have been born under a certain favorable planet, and gifted as the saying 
is, in any one department, was suffered to decide as to those who could or 
could not, become singers, musicians, composers, performers or amateurs in 
music ; but those evil days, those times of prejudice, and puffy ignorance, 
are past, as we hope and trust forever ; the ignorant shall no longer chant 
the school boy's requiem. We believe that those who can learn Reading, 
Writing, English Grammar, Rhetoric, Elocution, Oratoiy, and Mathemat- 
ics, may, by adequate attention, acquire a competent knowledge of the ele- 
mentary principles, so as to be able, in a short time to read ordinary 
Church Music. This 1 presume is admitted by all who have attended my 
schools. All music is written from the various modifications of the Scale, 
which is composed of seven original or primitive sounds, the 8th being a 
repetition of the 1st which completes the Octave. These sounds are rep- 
resented in Music, on the Staff of five paralel lines, by the first seven let- 
ters of the Alphabet, A. B. C. D. E. F. G. as we believe the most scien- 
tific application of syllables to these sounds, is the seven now in use, it is 



50 

not probable that tliey will soo7i, if ever, be changed. Now admitting, 
wliat Ave think nuist be admitted, that all may learn the elements of Music 
wlio are competent to learn oilier sciences, we put it on the position, that 
all may learn to sing who can learn to read or speak. Kow by careful at- 
tention, can we sound Do, or one ef the scale with another person ? If so, 
after having done this, can we sound 2, 3, 4, and so on, if we can do this, 
we can sing. We believe by practice and perseverance this can be ac- 
complished. If so, we have attained the elements of Melody, which cer- 
tainly do not require the compass of voice which many public speakers are 
in the habit of using. A due regard to the length of sounds, includes all 
the rhythmical relations of music ; while the pitch of sounds includes all 
the variety of melody ; and then we have only to regard ihe power of 
sounds ; and these constitute all the di.-tinctions, dei)artments, and sub- 
jects of Sacred iMu<ic. We will now hricjly notice, the influence of 
SA.CKKD MUSIC UPON HEALTH ; Some of its relations to poetry ; and also 
spcnk of Sacred Music as a devotional exercise. 

IIkalth. All writers on health, of any note, have observed and record- 
ed the reciprocal influence existing between the mind and body. The 
brain and nervous system is the great medium of communication. Many 
nervous diseases become chronic, and produce a degree of des[)ondency or 
melancholy. Music of an ap|)ropriate character is often one of the best 
things possible to sooth the melancholy that reigns within the soul ; it 
tends to animate and cheer the mind, thus producing a favorable impres- 
sion upon the body ; it has a tendency to quicken the animal functions, 
moderately to hasten the circulation, and to animate the nervous system ; 
thus producing a cheerful and happy state of mind ; music can never ex- 
ist with discord, revenge, anger, or malignity ; they are as dissimilar in 
their natures as the serpent and the dove ; anger and discord may invade 
the social circle, but they flee from before the power of music, as guilt 
cowers and retreats before the calm, placid, and beautiful sunshine of in- 
nocence. But some ask, why spend so much time ? why be for ever sing- 
ing ? I say, in addition to the foregoing considerations, which are sutti- 
cient and more than sufficient of themselves for our present purpose, that 
learning the elements of music does as much to discipline the mind in pro- 
portion to the time spent, as any branch of education ; and I would ask 
those individuals, w y spend so much time in frivolous and vain amuse- 
ments, or in positive idleness, which is a curse lor which no one dares ven- 
ture even an apology. 

relation op music to poetical language. 
All good readers endeavor to be distinctly understood ; therefore they 
ftudy to express naturally the meaning of the writer, and enter as much as 



51 

possible into his sentiments. This is especially necessary in reading poe- 
try ; and hence there are few who read poetry well. Some public speak- 
ers depend more upon the manner of delivering their discourses than the 
matter. I will not attempt to describe the power of eloquence in speak- 
ing : Garrick could read Hannah Mooie's poetry so as to make her, and 
his own wife, both weep ; she, A^ery politely excusing herself for weeping 
at the recital of her own composition, refering the cause to the manner of 
reading, while Garrick's wife with the same address and politeness, refer- 
red her tears not lo the style of her husband's reading, but to the beautiful 
sentiments of the worthy Authoress ; but poor Garrick is gone and the 
world will perhaps never again see his like. Sacked Music has its el- 
ocution. It is a common fault in singers not to open the mouth suffi- 
ciently wide to give a free [mssage to the sounds ; in taking breath we 
should make as little noise as possible ; it should be done quickly and with- 
out any change of the mouth ; we should never breathe between the differ- 
ent syllables of the same word, or between words closely connected in 
sense. Practicing on the explosive tone will assist much in acquiring the 
art of taking breath. The most essential qualities of a good tone are puri- 
ty, fullness, and certainty ; a trembling or a wavering of the voice, or 
striking the sound below and gliding up, should be avoided ; we should 
study to know well the elements of music, the use of letters and words, 
and the application of them to the notes. We should be careful to get the 
right vowel sound and not change it during the continuance of the musical 
^ound ; the consonants cannot be given with too great force ; be careful to 
produce a clear enunciation and distinct articulation. Music is itself a 
language, expressive of thought and feeling far beyond the reach of words ; 
words derive their meaning from convention. The expression of the sen- 
timent indicated by the w'ords is contained in the tones which accompany 
them ; words are but interpreters of the sentiment, rendered expressive 
by the tones of music or speech. In adapting music to words, it is plain 
that we should select tunes which will express a sentiment similar to that 
contained in the words ; because music which is not appropriate for the 
words, like singing Windham to the words '' Stand up my Soul, Shake off 
thy fears, and gird the gospel armor on, " &c. ; or lo sing the tune of Ga- 
lena with the words, " Broad is the road that leads to death, " «&c., would 
produce an effect that would be entirely lost, and which instead of the sen- 
timent the Words were calculated to produce, would only cause an un- 
meaning noise. The practice of changing parts in singing, such as sing- 
ing tenor, and then bass, or treble, and then alto, singing louder than 
all others, talking, whispering, during singing, or divine service, or leaving 
seats after singing, to be obliged to come together for the next Ilyaui, 



62 

looking about the house while singing, pronouncing the words in a manner' 
60 that no one can understand one of them, nor even the singer himself, 
closing the book before thei last sound is finished, I distinctly say, are all 
bad practices, and should be corrected. Remember that accent, pause and 
emphasis, are as important in singing as in reading. 

Upon the right adaptation of music to words, and their accurate perform- 
ance, in a natural and good style, depends much of their effect ; the nearest 
approach to perfection, is the most happy expression of the combined in- 
fluence of poetry and music. As a general rule, the composer himself, 
when he adapts words to his own music, must be considered the best judge 
as to rhythmical and dynamic expressions, but in many cases, these ex- 
pressions, and relations, are modified, or new ones are introduced, long af- 
ter the composers have slumbered in the dust. Our style of performance 
is ever fluctuating with the standard of musical taste. The prevailing 
taste calls for changes ; and new music is composed and introduced, to 
meet the demand. The chanting style is probably the earliest, and may 
we not add, the most simple, beautiful, solemn, and sublime ; it bears some- 
what the same relation to ordinary measured church music that blank 
verse does to rhyme ; it is less shackled by the rhythmical relations of 
music, and consequently better adapted to a full and free expression of 
poetical language. Church Music should be performed so as to express 
the sentiments of the author. Slow music should be performed as slow 
music and quick music as quick ; soft music as soft, and loud as loud 
music ; in this way we may observe a due regard to the beautiful, the or- 
namental, and sublime varieties of church music. It should be perform- 
ed as it is written ; neither jumbled into a sort of explosive, or drawled 
into a languishing groan. In order to express the combined force of the 
music and the poetry, both must be regarded, and the words expressed in 
a natural and distinct manner ; for affectation is disgusting in all places, 
and on all occasions. The holy Scriptures recognize sacred song among 
the devotional exercises of God's ancient people. They, also, by the most 
animated discriptiens, represent the happiness of the blest as consisting in 
songs of dying grace and redeeming love. How often, on some peculiar- 
ly mournful occasion, have we seen the tear start unconscious, while list- 
ening to appropriate music. This is not always the impression of melan- 
choly sadness ; but a happy combination of the affections, which produces 
no sorrow, but leaves a hallowed influence upon the mind. Shall we neg- 
lect the cultivation of those voices so richly bestowed upon us ? Ought we 
not to improve them to increase our religious exercise ? Shall we be un- 
willing to sing to our Creator's praise, in those delightful strains of sacred 
music, 80 well adapted to what our nature and our state can bear ? The 



53 

Jewish captives wept when they thought of the city of their solemnities ; 
by the rivers of Babylon they hanged their harps upon the willows. So 
strong and intimate were their religious sympathies and associations, when 
required to sing one of the songs of Zion, they exclaimed : — " How shall 
we sing the Lord's song in a strange land ? " Their devotions and their 
songs seem to have had an immutable relation to commemorate their de- 
liverance from Egyptian bondage, and to celebrate the feast of the pass- 
over ; the Hebrews were accustomed to chant the Psalms of David. As 
we express in our religious exercises, our humble hope of deliverance 
from the worse than Egyptian bondage, may we not with propriety en- 
gage in Holy Song ? Shall we look upon it as an irksome duty, or as 
one of our choicest and most delightful privileges ? In accordance with 
the Jewish custom, our Saviour, in his last public devotional exercise, 
when he instituted the Sacrament of the last Supper, chanted with his dis- 
ciples, the Psalms of David, the Sweet Singer of Israel. This was done 
in full view of his sufferings for a lost and wicked world ; and since that 
day, many of his humble followers, in view of approaching dissolution, 
have sung psalms to God, their Saviour. May we imitate them in our 
humble Devotion. 

Finally, My Beloved Friends, we have many times assembled to im- 
prove in Sacred Music. This we have used on the holy sabbath, ''that 
day of sacred- rest, " to enhance our devotions, and improve the heart. 
Dear to me are many of the associations that have been awakened ; I shall 
never forget the heartfelt impressions that have been produced while thus 
engaged. The tenderest and liveliest sympathies of youth have been re- 
vived ; the sorrows of the mind have been dissipated, while the fondest 
and holiest anticipations have been indulged. 

"When I have met the pupils of my schools, many times have I inquired, 
Shall these fair and tender plants be blighted and blasted and lost .'' Oh, 
no — it cannot be ; they will be reanimated, and transplanted beyond the 
grave ; and flourish in infinitely increased splendor and glory ; and we 
shall again unite in ascriptions of " Blessing and honor, of praise and pow- 
er, unto Him that sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever 
and ever ; " " Oh give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy 
endureth for ever ; " " Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for 
ever ; Let the Redeemed of the Lord now say that his mercy endureth 
for ever ; " " Hallelujah to the God of Israel ! " 

And now, my friends and pupils, permit me to express to you the deep 
sense of obligation which I feel for the kindness and courtesy which you 
have uniformly extended to me. Please accept my best wishes for the 
satisfaction enjoyed in our uaite4 labors_ in this pleasing, delightful, an4 



54 

important art ; and for a safe return to your homos and for the smile and 
blessings of heaven upon you through life, and at last may we all be so 
happy as to sing songs of praise to God forever. 

AT ANDOVER, N. H. 

Mr. Thompson had an excellent smging school here, 
which was encouraged by the old as well as young. The 
surface of this town is extremely uneven, and in some 
parts rocky and barren ; the Ragged mountains divide the 
town from Hill, [so named for Gov. liill, of Concord; it 
was formerly New Chester ; ] and the Kearsarge extends 
its base along the west ; the soil is, in many parts, of good 
quality, and pleasant villages are formed in different parts 
of the town ; it was granted in 1746, and was called New 
Breton, in honor of the captors of Cape Breton, 1745 — in 
which expedition several of the grantees were engaged — 
it received its present name in 1799. Joseph Noyes, 
made a donation to the town of §10, 000 for the support 
of an Academy. Elder Ebenezer Chase published the 
" Religious Informer, " here, in 1819. Among the influ- 
ential men of Andover, were Joseph Fellows, the first in- 
habitant, Silas Barnard, Josiah Badcock, Jacob B. ]\[oore, 
Silas Merrill, Jonathan "Weare, William Blake, William 
Proctor, Robert Barber, Benjamin Thompson, Joseph C. 
Thompson, Anthony Emery and others. The Kearsarge 
House has a large number of summer boarders, annually ; 
and the Northern rail road passes through the town. 

In 18-1-4, Mr. Thompson, returned to Deerfield, and that 
year kept three different day schools; two in Pembroke, 
and one in Epsom. He also had six different singing 
schools in the towns of Epsom, Pembroke, and Hooksett. 

EPSOM, X. H. 

The surface of the town of Epsom is generally uneven ; 
but the soil is mostly good, and well adapted for grazing 



55 

or grain. Great and Little Suncook rivers pass through 
the place, and there are three ponds in the town. Ep- 
som was granted to Theodore Atkinson and otliers, in 
1727 ; several f\imilies had settled there before that pe- 
riod ; it received its name from Epsom in England. Tlie 
first minister of the place was a patriot named John Tucke^ 
whd died while on his way to join the American army as 
chaplain. Like all the other frontier towns, Epsom was 
exposed, in its early settlement, to tlio Indians ; and in 
1747, they took Mrs. McCoy a prisoner and sold her in 
Canada ;. bnt she returned after the war; they also stole 
the cattle in the neighborhood and most of the inhabitants 
fied to a garrison in Nottingham. Major Andrew Mc- 
Clary, a native of this town, and a gallant and meritorious 
officer, fell at the battle of Breed's Hill, in 1775. Like 
the Illustrious Roman, he left his plough on the news of 
the massacre at Lexington, and in the action, when he los; 
his life, displayed great coolness and bravery. 

SEARGENT BLAKE. 

This man bought more than one hundred acres of land 
in the centre of the town for ten shilUngs, and turned in 
an old jack-knife for one shilling of that sum. The only 
place he had for baking, for several years, was an oven 
built upon a flat rock. Blake was a curious marksman 
and an expert hunter ; he seciu-ed the respect and friend- 
ship of the Indians, so that they never injured him. A 
large party once surrounded him, and seeing his pertur- 
bation, they patted him on the head, and said thej w^ould 
not hurt him, but wanted something to eat ; and Blake 
happening to have a quarter of a bear, he had killed, in 
the house, gave it to them. They took it and threw it 
whole upon the fire, and very soon began to cut and eat 
from it as it roasted. The next morning they proposed 



trying skill with him in firing at a mark ; but finding 
themselves outdone, they commended him for his skill, 
and told him if he would go off with them, they would 
make him their big captahi. The Indians often visited 
Blake, and his kindness to them, they never forgot, even 
in time of war. One time when Blake was in the wood^ 
hunting for his cow, he was surprised at a shrill whistle, 
and was told by a chief the reason. " Young Indian, " said 
he, " put up gun to shoot friend ; me knock it down, and 
whistle to show you was the great captain, and young In- 
dian notv know you ; you are safe. " Such was Indian 
friendship. 

HOOKS ETT, N. H. 

In Hooksett are those beautiful falls in the Merrimack 
river, formerly known by the name of the Isle of Hook- 
sett Falls ; the descent of water is about sixteen feet per- 
pendicular in thirty rods. A high rock divides the stream, 
and a smaller rock lies between that and the western 
shore. From an eminence, called the Pinnacle, on the 
west side, there is a delightful landscape ; the water above 
and below the falls, the verdant banks, the cultivated 
fields, and the distant hills in the back ground, form a 
picturesque scene, which relieves the eye of the traveler 
from the dull uniformity of a road not rendered remarka- 
bly pleasant otherwise. The soil in a considerable por- 
tion of this town is not of the most fertile character ; but 
there are some excellent farms. The village on the west 
side of the river was formerly a place of considerable bus-, 
iness ; and the old Londonderry turnpike passed through 
this village. The Hooksett canal, in this town, was one 
fourth of a mile long, and originally cost the sum of ^6,- 
210. The town was incorporated 1822; and a large 
cotton factory was soon after built on the east side of the 
river. 



57 • 

On returning home Mr. Thompson was desired to re- 
sume school teaching in his native town, and received thd 
following broad recommendation, which was so written, 
in order that it might be used at home, and in any other' 
place, if desired. 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 

This certifies that we have examined Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson, of 
Deerfield, in respect to his qualifications to teach the various branches re- 
quired to be taught by a school- master, in the District Schools, in the 
State, and are of the opinion that he is qualified according to law. Wit- 
ness our hands, this sixth day of December, in the year 1 845. 

IRA ST. CLATR, 
DANIEL P. CURRIER, 

Sup't. School Com. of Deerfield. 

Mr. Thompson now had considerable experience in 
teaching not only day schools, but music schools, and had 
become generally known as a professor and as a master 
who always had been successful, and who always kept 
schools that would show improvement and progress at the 
close, whatever the condition at commencement. Mr. 
Hersey, and Doctor Moore, had early taught Mr. Thomp- 
son, that reading well was considered a very good test of 
the talents and attainments of the scholar ; and that the 
very same thing was true and doubly requisite in singing 
and performing upon an instrument. Elocution, oratory, 
and good reading, are as beneficial to common school pu- 
pils as to musical students. Music should be treated like 
other regular branches of instruction ; and if so treated, as 
many probably would be found to excel in music as in 
arithmetic, writing, or any other of the required school 
studies. All cannot be distinguished musicians, orator, 
nor poets ; but this is no reason why the elements of gram- 
mar may be neglected, which every one, whether orator 
or poet, must use more or less in common. Let it be 
distinctly remembered that the power of understanding 



58 

and appreciating any branch of study may be acquired, 

even where the power of excelling in it is found wanting. 

> 

REASON FOR FORMING A CONCERT COMPANY. 

In 1845, Mr. Thompson traveled during the summer, 
as a Book Agent, with Willson's History of the United 
States, introducing it into the schools and making large 
sales. He had long been training his children fv)r the pur- 
pose of giving public concerts ; and in the fall of this year 
commenced his concert tours with his family ; giving be-' 
tween 1845 and 1849 about fifty different concerts, in the 
principal towns of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. 
His company consisted of himself as leader, violinist, vio- 
loncellist and melodeon accompanist ; his only daughter, 
and three of his boys ; making five in all. The ages of 
the children being from seven to thirteen years. In addi- 
tion to his concerts, he taught day school in Epping, in 
1846, 1847 and 1848, and also singing schools. It will 
be seen by the copy of a Poster, which is presented below, 
that Mr. Thompson advertised the family as consisting of 
four persons ; not including himself or his younger son, 
though they Avere present. Traveling musical companies, 
in New Hampshire, were not as numerous or as well qual- 
ified as they now are, and Mr. Thompson did not attempt 
to herald his family as wonderful at all, but as simply ju- 
venile singers, who had learned, under his direction, quite 
a number of pleasing moral songs, duets, trios and quar- 
tets ; which were to be rehearsed in public for a sum so 
very small, that school children, as well as others, could 
afford to attend the concerts, be pleasantly entertained and 
perhaps benefitted. New Hampshire people have been 
noted patrons of music and concerts ; and the State has 
sent out a larger number of music teachers and school 
teachers, than any other State in the Union ;' yet very few, 



59 

to day, with the systom of teaching that prevails, — very 
few, calling themselves singers, are capable of performiii;^ 
a simple song well \ that is, correctly; with truth, with 
expression, in good style, and with a pure and sympathet- 
ic voice. Suppose you select, from a company of fifty, 
one at random, and say to him: — here is an old song, 
quite simple, quite touching ; whose tender melody docs 
not modulate, but keeps within the modest compass of an 
octave ; please sing it to us ; would that person sing it ? 
It is possible, but more probable that in the attempt ho 
would exterminate the poor little flower. I have witness- 
ed trials of this kind, and on one occasion found a singer ; 
when he sang, the hearers felt themselves gradually filled 
with an unaccustomed excitement ; they were intoxicated 
by the art of sounds ; lifted to an immeasurable height 
above the ordinary plane of life ! They heard music right- 
ly interpreted ; they felt not only the power of pure tones, 
but felt music united, and properly united, with soul stir- 
ring words ! There was nuisical efi"ect ! This was what 
Mr. Thompson attempted to show with his unpretending 
musical family ; he had labored long, and tried to enable 
his children to understand and to (express the lights and 
shades of both words and music. He felt confident that 
there was a point at which human speech became musi- 
cal, at least, in its effect ; he had learned that a person, 
under the influence of deep emotion, expressed that emo- 
tion by the tones of his voice as much as by any words he 
might utter. At the battle of Ulm, the great Napoleon, 
who did not speak German, harrangued some Bavarian 
troops, who did not understand French. They understood 
him, however, and were as much inspired by his voice as 
they would have been by the singing of a national anthem, 
a song of liberty, or any kind of war-song. To produce 
and give examples of true simple music, for the edificntiou 



60 

of such as might hear his family sing, was why Mr. 
Thompson organized his concert company. 

The following is a copy of the Poster, which, without 
any alteration except that of writing the name of the Hall 
or Room where the concert was to take place, was regu- 
larly stuck up in a few public places in the town or village 
where the family decided to sing ; and that was all the no- 
tice then thought necessary ; and it was all the advertis- 
ing that this family used to introduce themselves. 

The children of Mr. Thompson, who took active parts 
in nearly all the Concerts given by the Family, were : — 

Arianna S. Thompson, born in Deerfield, 1832 ; she was 13 years of 
age. 

John L. B. Thompson, born in Deerfield, 1834 ; was 11 years of age. 
B. Edwin Thompson, born in Deerfield, 1836 ; was 9 years of age. 
Peter S. Thompson, bom in Deerfield, 1838 ; was 7 years of age. 

THE POSTER. 

THE THOMPSON FAMILY, consisting of four juvenile singers, would 
respectfully announce that they will give a Juvenile Concert of vocal mu- 
sic, at the Town Hall. The Concert will consist of a great variety of 
Songs, Duetts, Trios, QuartPtts, &c. Doors open at 7. Concert to com- 
mence at 8, precisely. Tickets 12 1-2 cents, to be had at the Bookstores 
and at the Door. 

The Poster used, it will be noticed, was not a very at- 
tractive one, nor was the price of admission such as to 
prevent the attendance of persons who had any curiosity 
to gratify, or who were fond of music. The low price 
system gave even children an opportunity of " going to 
the concert, " and though the performance was often in 
large halls, they were generally filled ; and the concert 
business proved to be a paying business. The following 
is the Program of the music sung at Mr. Thompson's pop- 
ular Old Folk's Concerts, of which he gave several from 
1845 until 1857, generally singing the same tunes, except 
when requested to substitute others ; but he used for all, 
very nearly the same class of music. 



61 



OLD FOLKS' CONCERT! At Deerfield, Tuesday eyemng Decem- 
ber 21, 1845. B. B. THOMPSON, Conductor. 
PROGRAMME. 







PART 


1st. 










Page. 






Page, 


1. 


Bridgewater, 


13 


8. 


Pennsylvania, 


184 


2. 


Northfield, 


124 


9. 


New Jerusalem, 


112 


3. 


Montgomery, 


126 


10. 


Complaint, 


35 


4. 


Mount Sion, 


144 


11. 


Greenwich, 


60 


5. 


Russia, 


26 


12. 


Hallowell, 


95 


6. 


Danbury, 


78 


13. 


Invitation, 


45 


7. 


Calvary, 


97 


14. 


Sherburne, 


113 






PART 


2nd. 






1. 


Turner, 


123 


8. 


Pilgrims' Farewell, 


172 


2. 


Amity, 


155 


9. 


Montague, 


63 


3. 


Anthem, 


242 


10. 


Victory, 


115 


4. 


Stafford, 


136 


11. 


Topsfield, 


195 


5. 


Ocean, 


77 


12. 


Ode on Science, 


272 


6. 


Majesty, 


80 


13. 


Old Hundred, 


9 


7. 


Worcester, 


152 









AT PEMBROKE, N. H. 

It appears, by the following, that Mr. Thompson taught 
in the town where the famous Pembroke Academy is lo- 
cated, in 1846. 

This certifies that we have examined Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson in 
respect to his qualifications to teach the various branches required to be 
taught by a schoolmaster in the District schools of this State, and are of 
opinion that he is qualified according to law, 

WARREN F. EVANS, 
FRANCIS ROSE, 

Supt. School Com. of Pembroke, 
Pembroke, Nov. 12, 1846. 

DRAWING. 

At Pembroke, the opinion was expressed that there was 
no good reason for excluding the art of Linear Drawing 



62 

from any liberal scheme of popular insti*uetion ; for it has 
a direct tendency to quicken that important faculty called 
observation ; it is also a supplement to writing, and is in 
close alliance with geometry. It is conversant with form, 
and intimately connected with all the improvements in the 
mechanic arts. In all the mechanical and many of the 
otlier employments of life, it is of high practical utility. 
])rawing, like music, is not an accomplishment merely — 
it has important uses ; and where music has been success- 
fully introduced into schools, drawing should sooner or la- 
ter follow. 

'I HE TOWN. 

Pembroke is the ancient Suncook of the Indians, and 
was granted in 1727, to Capt. John Lovewell, and his 
brave associates, in consideration of their services against 
the savages ; forty-six of the grantees accompanied Love- 
well in his last march to Pequakett ; his company consist- 
ed of sixty-two in his first enterprise ; the first child born 
in Pembroke was Ephraim Moore. The Academy, in this 
town, was founded by the liberal donation of Dr. Abel 
Blanchard, and has been a very flourishing institution. 
There is one peculiarity in this place ; the public roads 
were laid out at right angles, dividing the territory into 
squares ; the main street running parallel with the Merri- 
mack river, in a straight course, about three miles ; from 
the river the land rises in extensive and beautiful swells, 
yielding in abundance when cultivated. Suncook was 
originally a part of Pembroke and has become a flourish- 
ing village. [See mention of Suncook in another place.] 

After closing his school in Pembroke, Mr. Thompson 
returned to his farm, which, though he was much away, 
was always in the care of some one who kept it in a good 
state of cultivation, so that its productions were always 
turned to good account. Some years, as in 1846, the 



63 

teacher was on his farm during nearly all the active time 
of farm labor ; and in 1847, it appears that he worked up- 
on his land until winter, when he again kept school in 
Deerfield, where he was engaged whenever his services 
could be obtained. 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 

This certifies that the bearer, Mr. Beiijaaiin B. Thompson, is in our 
opinion well quaHfied to instruct in all brunches of education required to 
be taught in our common schools. Is', HOOPER, 

Deerfield, Dec. 4, 1847. K. N. HIDDEN. 

CAPT. JOHN DUDLEY. 

Though never in the regular army, Capt. Dudley at one 
time commanded a company of militia, in the town of 
Deerfield ; and this company occasionally performed war- 
like deeds in the neighborhood of Butler's tavern, at Deer- 
field Parade, where the famous Benjamin F. Butler, now a 
distinguished lawer, statesman, politician, and general, 
residing at Lowell, Mass., was born. Captain Dudley 
was a bachelor, and had an old maid for a housekeeper ; 
and he tilled the rocky soil of the lands where he was 
born, like an honest, industrious man. He was acquaint- 
ed with Governor Benning Wentworth ; and he made it a 
point to call on the Governor when at Portsmouth, (where 
he sold his farm produce,) in order that he might show 
Deerfield people how intimate he was with his Excellen- 
cy ; Governors in those days, were considered as persons 
of consequence — they were distinguished and honored 
more than modern chief magistrates. To add to his im- 
portance, Dudley ventured to invite the Governor to call 
* on him, at Deerfield, on his way into the country ; where 
he journeyed summers ; and the Governor promised to do 
so. Capt. Dudley expected the visit sometime in a cer- 
tain week, and kept near his house, busily employed as 
usual. One very warm day, his housekeeper came puffing 



64 

into the field, to inform him that a grand carriage, "which 
must be the Governor's, was at a little distance. The 
captain ran into the house, and had hardly time to slip on 
his military coat and cocked hat, ere his excellency drove 
up. With his trusty sword in hand, Dudley hurried out 
into the street, and assuming a true captain-like strut, paid 
a martial salute to the chief magistrate ; who on behold- 
ing him, burst into a hearty laugh, in which he was joined 
by his carriage companions. This rather discomposed the 
valiant man of the sword, and made him forget his pre- 
pared speech of welcome ; but he was put to immediate 
flight, when the Governor, from the carriage, remarked : — 
" Captain Dudley, I am glad to see you ; but I think your 
appearance, as a military man, would be somewhat im- 
proved, if you were lo add to your uniform a pair of breech- 
es ! " This article of dress, the good Captain, in his haste 
to pay his respects to the Governor, had enthely forgot- 
ten. 

AT EPPING, N. H. 

In the fall of 1848, Mr. Thompson taught school inEp- 
ping, N. H., where his former teacher, Dr. Moore, resi- 
ded ; from whom he received his musical education. 
Among the early settlers of Epping, was Eev. Josiah 
Stearns, who was born in Billerica, Mass., 1732, apd was 
ordained at Epping, in 1758. He was an ardent friend of 
his country and an able defender of her rights ; when the 
revolutionary contest commenced, he took an active and 
decided part in opposition to the ungenerous and impolitic 
measures of Great Britain ; he believed the American 
cause to be the cause of God, and that it would prevail; 
so strong was his confidence in this, he was often heard to 
say, that through the whole struggle, he, at no time, for 
half an hour experienced a doubt of the final successful 
issue. He was a member of the first provincial Congress. 



65 

Some of his family were in the field, during the greater 
portion of the war, sometimes two and sometimes three at 
a time ; and he sacrificed most of his worldly interest in 
support of the American cause. He was a worthy man ; 
and died at Epping, in 1788, at the age of 57 years. Ep- 
ping was the residence of Gov. William Plumer, one of 
the most distinguished and estimable citizens of the State ; 
he was known as a writer for the newspapers, over the 
signature of Cincinnatus, for many years. 

This may certify that we the undersigned are of opinion that Mr. B. B. 
Thompson is qualified to teach the various branches required to be taught 
in the district schools, in this State, according to law. 

THOMAS FOLSOM, ) Supt. School Com. 
J. C. PLUMER, y of 

K. K. LAUKENCE. ) Epping. 

Epping, October, 1848. 

A SICK QUAKER. 

Congregationalists were the first settlers of Epping ; 
and for a number of years all the inhabitants were of that 
sect. Some Quakers early settled in the place, and in 
1769, Jonathan Norris, a Quaker, was imprisoned for not 
paying taxes to support the congregational minister ; but, 
in time, other Societies organized, and Epping has now 
the usual number of different denominations to be found 
in other towns. It is related that on a certain time, when 
one of the Epping Quakers was dangerously sick, and giv- 
en up by the doctors, a very homely but devout congrega- 
tional sister, who never missed an opportunity of doing 
what she could to save sinners, by making them converts to 
her belief, called to see the sick friend ; and being partic- 
ularly zealous, she supposed it a duty to tell him that she 
believed God had commissioned her to inform him that un- 
less he renounced his doctrines, and at once embraced the 
congregational faith and religion, she feared he would be 
damned. To all which the Quaker replied : — " Pooh, 



66 

pooh ! go thy way ; thee and me think differently ; go thy 
way, good woman ! God wonld never send any message 
by snch an ngly, old looking female ! " The Qnaker re- 
covered, and lived to inform the old lady that he hoped 
her, faith wonld save Aer; but he didn't know how any- 
thing else could. 

Hedding Camp Meeting at the time I visited it, at East 
Epping, N. H., was held in a very pleasant locality. The 
natural ampitheatre, where the preaching takes place has 
seats for four or iive thousand people, and around it I 
counted \2S cottages and 111 tents. The public dining 
hall will seat between four and five hundred at a time ; 
and I was told that on this particular day over one thous- 
and had dined here ; and at the restaurant more than three 
thousand persons had been supplied with lunch. Cooking 
is done on the grounds; and, along by the fences, horses 
are picketed and fed ; leading one to think himself with- 
in the enclosure of some vast show, or fair.. I was in- 
formed that the people gather within this enclosure, weeks 
before the camp-meeting opens, and enjoy a sort of sum- 
mer vacation. On the day of my visit, there were pres- 
ent 15,000 people. How many of all this multitude were 
there for religioiis instruction, or how many were benefit- 
ted in a religious point of view, 1 cannot say; but it seem- 
ed to me that the social feature of the camp meeting was 
delightful, and that this drew the multitude. 

CONCERT AT NOTTINGHAM. 

Mr. Thompson, though frequently *at Nottingham, did 
not take any school there, nor did he teach music in that 
place ; but he gave a Concert there in 1848, which was 
Well patronized by the people. The place called the 
*' Square," is a pleasant village, on an elevated site ; the 
town was incorporated in 1722, and settled in 1727, by 



67 

Capt. Joseph Cilley, and others ; Gen. Joseph Cilley, a 
son of one of the early settlers, was distinguished for his 
bravery and patriotism, during the revolution, and after- 
wards was a State senator and counsellor ; died in 1799, 
aged 65. Thomas Bartlett was an active revolutionary pa- 
triot, one of the committee of safety, was at the capture of 
Burgoyne, commanded a regiment, as Colonel at West 
Point, when Arnold betrayed that post, and afterwards was 
speaker of the house and a justice ; died in 1807, aged 59 ; 
Gen. Henry Butler was an officer in the revolution, a jus- 
tice and a senator; died in 1813, aged 62. Many of the 
descendants of these worthies have been prominent men 
in the town and still remain influential in the place. A 
powerful tribe of Indians used to reside in Northwood 
near this town ; the soil is good, and there are many fine 
farms, well cultivated ; agriculture being the chief occu- 
pation, though there is considerable trade at the village. 
During the Indian war of 1752, several persons who had 
left the garrison to attend to their houses a short distance 
away, were killed by the savages. The town is very 
healthy and many individuals have lived to great age. 

REMOVAL TO EXETER, N. H. 

From the following certificate it appears that the farm- 
er, school teacher, and singing-master, of Deerfield, at 
length was to instruct the youth of Exeter ; a town lying 
about the falls which separate the fresh from the tide wa- 
ter of a branch of the Pascataqua, called by the natives 
Squamscott, but now known by the name of Exeter river. 

"We certify that Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson is well qualified to instruct 
youth in the various branches required to be taught in an English scliuol 
in the State of New Hampshire. 

JOHN KELLY, ) Superintending 

NATHANIEL SHUTE, }- School 
J. G. HOYT, ) Comrait;e . 

-..Exeter, April 6, 1849. 



68 

Mr. Thompson did not calculate to give up farming ; 
but he received such flattering proposals from Exeter^ that 
he concluded to lease his farm or hire it carried on, while 
he should take up a residence where he thought the pros- 
pects were much better for him. 

THE TOWN. 

In 1849, lie moved to Exeter, where he taught a day 
school and music for seven years ; having many excellent 
scholars. The town is pleasantly situated ; it was, at this 
time, a place of much importance, having many difi"erent 
manufactories established, some mills, various mechanical 
establishments, churches, printing offices, a large trade, a 
bank and an academy. The soil of Exeter is good, and 
the; town is eminently agricultural. The academy was 
founded by the liberal donations of John Phillips, in 1781, 
and at his death, 1795, he bequeathed to the institution, 
a large portion of his *estate ; the building stands on a 
plain, near the centre of the town, and is well provided 
with accommodations for the different branches of instruc- 
tion. The first settlers, in 1638, formed themselves into 
a body politic, chose their magistrates, and bound the peo- 
ple to obedience ; their laws were made in popular assem- 
blies ; and the combination thus entered into subsisted 
about three years. In 164:2, Exeter was annexed to the 
county of Essex, Massachusetts ; and in 1643, the town 
came under the jurisdiction of the county of Norfolk ; but 
in 1741, again became a town of New Hampshire. Exe- 
ter suffered much from the Indians, and the discharge of 
a gun providentially saved the place and people from de- 
struction, in 1697. A body of Indians had lain in ambush, 
intending to attack the place on the following morning. 
By an alarm caused by a gun fired to frighten a few wo- 
men and children, who went into the fields after strawber- 



e9 

ries, contrary to the advice of their friends, the' people 
were brou2;ht together in arras ; seeing this, the Indians 
supposed they were discovered, and precipitately retreat- 
ed, killing one person, wounding another, and capturing 
a child, as they left ; many persons were afterwards killed 
and taken prisoners. ' Among the famous men of Exeter, 
were Samuel Tenney, a member of Congress ; Gen. Nath- 
aniel Peabody, who was a member of the old Congress 
and speaker of the House in 1793; Nicholas Oilman, a 
member of Congress and President of the Senate ; Gen. 
Nathaniel Polsom, a member of Congress and a famous 
revolutionary onicer ; Jeremiah Smith, member of Con- 
gress, and .Judge of the Superior Court of New Hamp- 
shire, and Governor in 1809 ; John Taylor Gilman, a sup- 
porter of the revolution, a member of Congress, a repre- 
sentative. State treasurer, and for fourteen years Governor. 
Exeter has at all periods of its history possessed eminent 
and useful men ; and some of the first lawyers and jurists, 
antiquarians and scholars have received their early educa- 
tion at its literary institutions. The Robinson Female 
Seminary was opened here, in 1867, having a bequest of 
^250,000. Exeter has furnished the State and nation with 
many eminent men, and^s now an extensive manufactur- 
ing place ; the Boston and Maine railroad passes through 
the town. 

In 1850, Mr. Thompson taught music at Kingston. 

Names of the Scholars who attended Mr. Tliompson's 
school, at Exeter, N. H., April 7, 1851. Some other pu- 
pils attended a portion of the term, whose names are omit- 
ted. 

Chauncy K. Kidder, John A. L. Julian, Benjamin B. IMcNeil, Frank- 
lin Swazey, John E. Dodge, Horace H. Meloon, John W. Weeks, David 
G. RoUins, Bradbury L. Cilley, John K. Cilley, Joseph E. Janvrin, Peter 
S. Thompson, John L. B. Thompon, James B. French, John H. Tanner, 
Henry Janvrin, Jcwett Swazey, Howard M. Mgses, Alfred Gilman, 



70 

Franklin Burlej, George N. Julian, Oliver A. Towle, William Steele, 
Wan-en S. Dearborn, Franklin Dolloff, John Leavitt, Franklin C. East' 
man, Frederick W. Sawyer, George E. Stuart, Daniel W. Ranlet, Eliza- 
beth Julian, Margaret Leavitt, Lucj A. Gordon, Irena DollofF, Kate 
Moulton, Adella F. Cram, Susan Leavitt, Annah Leavitt, Harriei Davis, 
Adelade Towle, Anna Robinson, Mary Moses, Eugenia Moses, Rebecca 
A. French, Abby Allen, Hannah Swazey, Mary Anna Randlet, Melissa 
Spiller, Joanna Spiller, ELen M. Lane, Sarah Barker, Caroline N. Sin- 
clair, Mary E. French, Emily Sanborn, Harriet Leavitt, Mary Pearsons, 
Mary E. Leavitt, Caroline Weeks, Abbey Swazey, Emma Eastman. 

JOHN KELLEY, ") 

NATHANIEL SHUTE, V- School Committee. 

J. G. HOYT. ) 

All Mr. Thompson's schools, m Exeter, were very pleas- 
ant and uniformly showed marked improvement from year 
to year. He thinks that he had the good will of every 
scholar; and this made his schools successful, and greatly 
aided him as a teacher. 

In 1852, Mr. Thompson gave some concerts, as the fol- 
lowing Program shows. This concert was so satisfactory 
that it was repeated by request at Exeter, where the per- 
formers were highly complimented; and the " Squamscott 
Nightingales, " it was said, did honor to Jenny Lind, to 
themselves, and to their neiv name. 

JENNY LIND will not sing in Eppin* this week, but the Squamscott 
Nightingales Avill give a Concert in Prescott's Hall, Jlonday evening, 
April 19th, 1852, consisting of Duets, «&c., of the best selection. 

B. B. THOMPSON, Conductor. 

1st Soprano. 2d Soprano. 



SARAH A. DREW, 
MARY O. ROBINSON, 
DELIA F. BUTTRIClv. 



ELLEN E. MITCHELL, 
ESTHER 0. WARREN, 
MARY H. RANDALL. 



PROGRAMME. 



PART FIRST, 

1. Lilla's a Lady. 

2. Ossian's Serenade. 0. E. Dodge. 

3. Come to the Forest. — Music by T. Bricher* 



71 

4. My Motlier's Grave. — Arranged by B. B. Thompson. 

5. White Mountain Serenade. 0. E. Dodge. 

6. Lady of beauty. Knyvelt. 

PART SECOND. 

1. Greeting Glee. N. Barker. 

2. The JMoon is beaming o'er the Lake. J. Blockled/. 

3. When twilight is stealing. E. L. Wldie. 

4. Peaceful are the night winds sighing, L. V. H. Crosby. 

5. 0, Boatman row me o'er the stream, E. L. White. 

6. The happiest time is now. J. C. Baler. 



Doors open at 7, Concert to commence at 7 1-2 o'clock. Tickets 12 1-2 
cents, to be obtained at the door. 
Epping, April 17, 1852. 

IIEPORT OF COMMITTEE. 

In 1852, the report of the School Committee, written 
by J. G. Hoyt, thus speaks of the Grammar school, under 
the instruction of Mr. B. B. Thompson : — This school con- 
tinued 42 weeks ; the teacher is " a gentleman who has 
seen some service, and of whom w^ have had occasion, in 
former Reports, to speak favorably more than once. The 
school we have never seen appear better than at our last 
examination. There was a familiarity with the subjects 
under discussion, and a consequent emancipation from the 
ordinary bondage to text, books. The first class in Arith- 
metic and Grammar, with the exception of a few individ- 
uals, merits especial commendation. They had been man- 
ifestly well taught and had made rapid progress. The 
professional enthusiasm of the teacher had been caught 
by the pupils, and the school-room was as busy as the 
weave-room of a Factory in the time of high dividends. 
Truancy, a sort of compound villainy made up of lying 
and laziness, is becoming in this school more rare, and 
uniform attendance more common. During the two last 
terms six scholars were not absent from a single exercise. 
Their names, Avhich deserve to be put upon record, are 



72 

Ariana E. Smith, Mary J. Sjiith, William H. Buswell, 
James Irvine, George W. Hobinson, and James Derby, 
Jr. The whole number of different schohirs throu2;h the 
year was 89 ; th.e average daily attendance 52. The reg- 
ujar exercises of recitation have been interspersed and en- 
livened by singing^ in which department of human culture, 
it is no disparagement of several other schools in town, 
in which music is taught, to say that this school stands 
iirst and highest. In view of fears sometimes expressed, 
it is proper, perhaps, in this connection to add, that we 
have never yet visited a school-room, in which we found 
any reason to believe, that the singing had checjvcd the 
progress of the scholars in their prescribed studies. The 
effect is exactly the opposite. — Besides, it not only quick- 
ens the intellect and relieves the tedium of protracted la- 
bor, but it is efficient as an agent in government, soothing 
as it does excited passions and controlling turbulent and 
rebellious natures. Tjie evil spirit, which David's harp 
drove out from Saul, is not the only evil spirit that has 
been laid by music. " 

J. G. HOYT, ^ Superintending 

NATH'L SHUTE, V School 
W. G. PERRY. ) Committee. 

QUALIFICATIONS OF A GOOD TEACHER. 

The same Report says : — It must not be supposed that 
every person, who can pass examination is fit to manage 
a school. It takes a peculiar man to be just the right sort 
of a Teacher. He is an article compounded of various in- 
gredients silch as you cannot ordinarily buy at the apothe- 
cary's. As to his intellectual qualifications, his mind 
should be a fountain and not a reservoir. His knowledge 
should gush up of itself and not have to be drawn, up by 
a windlass. He should be a man of ingenuity and tact, of 
various resources and expedients, and not a helpless crea- 



73 

tiire of custom, plodding on day after day in the same old 
path like a horse in a barkmill. He should be fresh in 
his feelings and sympathies, and not a petrified post of 
Medusa — his heart should be young in all its pulsations, 
though his head may he as bald as Elisha's. Endued with 
a courage and resolution that know no defeat, he should, 
like Dickens' Raven, '' never say die. " He should be a 
man of the world as well as a man of books — familiar with 
human nature not less than with Mitchell's Geography, 
He should be a scholar of some breadth as well as depth, 
knowing something more than the mere routine of daily 
study ; and not a man whose half dozen thoughts rattle in 
his vacant head like shrunkeii kernels in a bean-pod. His 
mental store-house should be filled with the fruits of va- 
rious and extensive reading, so that he need not be com- 
pelled to draw his illustrations for the Recitation-room 
from the " Tales of his Grandfather " or from the treasures 
of a last year's almanac. In addition to his intellectual 
furnishing, he should be a man of integrity, of moral rec- 
titude and purity of character, imbued with the spirit of 
truth and wisdom. If, beside all this, the light of a Chris- 
tian faith should irradiate his scientific and literary ac- 
quirements, it would serve to give them a brighter lustre ; 
even as " a lamp set in an alabaster vase brings out* into 
bolder relief and clearer expression the beautiful figures 
which may be sculptured upon it. " Let the Common 
School Teacher possess qualifications like these, and he 
can do much, perhaps more than any single individual for 
the renovation of human society.- — But he cannot do every 
thing alone, and should not be condemned for other peo- 
ples' sins. He needs the active co-operation of the parent 
and the community. If, as it is sometimes said, he takes 
the child as the sculptor takes the marble from the quarry, 
there is yet one iiilportant difi'erence : when the sculptor 



74 

leaves his work for rest or relaxation, the half-formed 
statuary remains as he left it. But the pupil is never 
found as he was left. The self-developing power of the 
subtle element of life cannot be calculated by any rules of 
art; Excrescences may burst forth from him in some evil 
hour, which cannot be chipped off with hammer and chisel. 
And then, too, other hands, besides the Teacher's have 
been busy upon him in giving form to his plastic nature* 
Silently and unobserved mysterious influences, in the street 
and by the fire-side, at noon-day and beneath the quiet 
stars, have been at work. The character, which promised 
to reveal, in the beauty and symmetry of its proportions, 
an Apollo Belvidere has been touched by the Spoiler and 
has become a Caliban of misshaped ugliness. 

In 1852, Mr. Thompson taught music at the Teachers' 
Institute, at Epping. 

In 1853, Mr. Thompson taught music at the Teachers' 
Institute holden at South Newmarket, and had a singing 
school in that place. 

Exeter, July 10, 1854. 
This may certify, that Mr. B. B. Thompson has been for several years 
the Master of one of the Grammar Schools in this town. During his 
whole continuance with us, he has given' entire satisfaction to his patrons. 
He has shown himself " apt to teach " and abundantly able to govern. 
He has invariably preserved perfect order in his school-room without 
harsh severity ; and has exhibited the faculty, somewhat rare, of maintain- 
ing familiar and friendly intercourse with his pupils, without compromis- 
ing in the least his authority, or losing their respect. Mr. Thompson is 
cheerfully commended to the confidence and patronage of any, who may 
•wish to secure the services of a thorough and efficient teacher. 

A. H. HOYT, School Commissioner for Rockingham County. 
J. G. HOYT, ] 

ASA MANN, o • , V n 

WILLIAM G. PERRY, ^ Supermtending Committee. 

L. W. LEONARD. J 

Two years and a half further service, as Principal of the same Gram- 
mar school, has served to confirm our good opinion of Mr. Thompson, as 
expressed in the foregoing recommendation. J, G. HOY^T. 



75 

It will be seen that Mr. Thompson was sustained and 
encouraged at Exeter, by the most inliuential men of the 
place. 

PRINTED rtEPORTS. 

In the printed report of the Superintending School Com- 
mittee of Exeter, N. H., for the year ending March 9, 
1854, the committee say: — "The First District have had 
the advantaoje of retainina; their whole board of teachers 
in the Primary and Grammar Schools. And the commit- 
tee have not changed their opinion of their worth, faith- 
fulness, and lahoriousness. * * * * Xhe energy and 
faithfulness of Mr. Thompson, is indicated in the fact, 
that of twenty from his school, who were examined for 
the High School, last year, nineteen were admitted ; and 
of nineteen this year, the whole nineteen were admitted. 

THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF MUSIC. 

We regard this as important, not only as a pleasant va- 
riety in schools, and a recreation from more silent studies 
(and this alone would be sufficient to recommend its in- 
troduction) — not only as an attainment valuable in itself 
in every relation of life, and through life, — but as ahappy^ 
means of improving the whole mind, and as very closely 
connected with and productive of true taste and a nice 
skill in reading. We will not say that one cannot be a 
good reader without being skilled in music ; but we will 
say that the same person cannot be so good a reader, as 
he himself may be, without it. Both the agreeableness 
and the power of a good reader depends on his striking 
appropriate intervals and upon those qualities of voice 
which the practice of music will give him. The practice 
of music is therefore direct in its relations to good read- 
ing — which is one of the rarest, one of the highest, one of 
the most powerful of attainments, valuable to a person in 
his own silent reading, valuable in all his speech with his 



76 

fellow men. But music is still further important as giv- 
ing discipline to the attention. The great difference among 
men as to the amount of mental labor they can perform, 
is to be accounted for, not so much on the ground of dif- 
ference in native capacity, as of difference in their habits 
of attention. The mind of childhood is averse to volunta- 
ry effort. It flutters and flies from object to object — ^wil- 
ling to be held by some attractive quality, if held without 
its own effort. Too many persons carry this fault into 
their maturity. Their great want is the power of concen- 
trated and prolonged attention. An immense advantage 
is at once gained by acquiring this power and forming it 
into a habit. Then the relations of truth reveal them- 
selves to their minds and what they hear, or read, or 
think, is lodged safely in the memory. The Mathematics 
have been justly esteemed of the highest value in this re- 
spect. But it has been well remarked that Music is math- 
ematics in action, agreeable action. The pupil can learn 
to add, substract, multiply and divide by whole, half, and 
quarter notes, as well as by Arabic figures ,- while tones 
and semi-tones with the exponent flats and sharps, may 
give him a practical idea of fractions as accurate as the 
examples of Colbum ; and he is at the same time gaining 
habits of precision and method, which cannot fail to bene- 
fit him in every engagement of life. Where the drill in 
music is thorough and spirited, it will not yield to any 
study whatever in exercising the mind, in concentration of 
the attention, in precision and method, and in rapidity of 
thought. A few minutes observation of a school in a mu- 
sical exercise under an energetic master, would convince 
any one of the truth of this remark. For the moment the 
attention slips and precision and method is lost, the charm 
is broken, music takes her flight, and the air is filled with 
'' wild confusion's dreadful noise. " 

Asa MAN^^ for the Committee, 



77 

In 1854, Mr. Thompson, with his Exeter class of sing- 
ers gave a concert at the Lecture room, as follows : — 

CONCERT. B. 15. Thompson with bis class of singers, will sing in 
the Lecture Room, Thursday Evening, April 27. 

PROGRAMME. 



PART FIRST^ 

1. Wait for the Wagon. 

2. White Mountain Serenade. 

3. My old Kentucky Home. 

4. 'Tis midnight hour. 

5. Do they miss me at home. 
€. O, where is the spot, &c. 

7. Lilly Dale. 

8. Reply to Lilly Dale. 



PART SECOND. 

1. Greeting Glee. 

2. Ida May. 

S. No, ne'er can thy home be mine. 

4. Somebody's coming. 

5. When moonlight is stealing. 

6. Willie's on the dark blue sea. 

7. Lone starry hours. 

8. Fair Ella Lee. 

•9. Despair not of home. 

Doors open at 7, to commence at 7 1-2 o'clock. Tickets 12 1-2 cents, 
at the usual places. 

Exeter, April 26, 1854. 

GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 

In 1855, Mr. Thompson had charge of the Grammar 
School, for forty weeks, with eighty-three different schol- 
ars. The committee, by Wilham G. Perry, say of him : — 
" He is not a stranger in onr Report, and when a school 
continues from year to year, under the same faithful and 
competent Instructor, we cannot avoid repeating the same 
in substance, as has been laid before you in former Be^ 



78 

ports. Mr. Thompson has had much experience in teach- 
ing, both in this town and in others. We have in our 
visits been uniformly pleased with the examination of the 
different classes. He tries to infuse spirit and activity in- 
to the school, and he succeeds — everything is performed 
quickly ; questions are answered as soon as proposed. 
The visitors to this school will be struck Avith the truth of 
that oft quoted line : 

" Music hath charms, " &c. 

The committee in the same lleport, say : — We seek to 
educate the people ; w^e seek to improve men's moral and 
religious condition. In short we seek to work upon mind 
as well as matter. And, in working on mind, it enlarges 
the human intellect and the human lieart. We know 
Avhen we work upon materials immortal and imperishable, 
that they will bear the impress we place upon them, 
through endless ages to come. If we work on marble it 
will perish ; if we work on brass time will efface it ; if we 
rear temples they will crumble to the dust ; but if Ave work 
on men's immortal minds, if Ave imbue them Avith high 
principles, Avith the just fear of God and of their felloAv- 
men, we engraA^e on these tablets, something Avhich no 
time can efface, but Avhich will brighten and brighten to 
all eternity. 

This year Mr. Thompson received the foUoAving com- 
plimentary certificates. 

The Grammar School in Spring street, was taught fortj-two weeks, by 
Mr. B. B. Thompson. The whole number of pupils was eighty-nine, and 
the average daily attendance fifty-five, Mr. Thompson's school has fully 
sustained its former reputation. His instruction is thorough, discipline ex- 
act, and the recitations of his pupils are satisfactory, both as to loudness of 
voice and precision in answer to questions. The music lessons, given as a 
part of the daily exercises, would cost no small sum, if paid for at a sepa- 
rate singing school. The singing of the pupils at the closing examination 
was very good, superior to that of any public school with which we are ac- 



79 

quainted. The instrument in the school room belongs to Mr. Thompson, 
and no charge has been made for its use. We regret that he contemplates 
leaving the school, but it is hoped (hat increased compensation will induce 
him to remain. Singing has been a j)art of the exercises in nearly all t'.e 
schools, both summer and winter. It is a means of moral isifiuence, w ich 
if possible, should never be neglected. It" the songs arc judiciously select- 
ed, and sung with proper care and attention, they will produce dee[)er and 
more lasting good impressions than direct instruction by preccjit. The 
time has arrived when those who employ teachers make the inquirj^ " can 
they sing?" and, other things being equal, the teachers who can sing are 

preferred. ASA MANN, ") Sup't. School Cora. 

L. \V. Li!.<jNARD, ]" of Exeter, N. H. 
March 13, 1855. 

Exeter, N. IL, March 20, 1855. 

TO AVilOM IT MAY COXCEUN. 

This certifies that Mr. 13. B. Thompson, the bearer of this certificate, 
has taught a public Grammar School in this town for several years. I 
have visited this school at various times ; and I regard him as a teacher 
amply qualified to instruct youth in the several branches of an English 
education. His instructions are thorough, imparted with facility, and in a 
manner calculated lo engage the attention, and attract the interest of his 
pupils. He has been fiim and decided in his methods of discipline, never 
failing to secure good oi-der. The recitations of his pupils were prompt 
and accurate. Slovenly answers were not permitted to pass uncorrected, 
and, in all the exercises of the school-room, there was a due degree of life 
and animation. As a teacher of music in his school, he has had superior 
success ; and the exerci,- es in singing were perf(jrmed with spirit and good 
taste. Both he and his jiupils deserve, as they have received, high com- 
mendation for their successful efforts in this branch — the exercises of 
which are so important and interesting. Mr. Thompson speaks of leaving 
his situation in Exeter ; and if he does so, it will cause much regret to 
those who are acquainted with his valuable services as a teacher of youth 
and his worth as a citizen. LEVI W. LEONARD, 

A member of the Superintending School Committee of Exeter, for the 
year ending March 13, 1855. 

In 1855, Mr. Thompson taught music in the Teachers' 
Institute, and also gave a concert at Exeter, which, as will 
be seen by the following program, was repeated, by par- 
ticular request. 



80 

CONCERT. Yoimg Folks at home. And by request will repeat the 
Concert given in March last, at the Lecture Room, Wednesday Eve., 
June 27, 1855. B. B. THOMPSON, Conductor. 

PROGRAMME. 



PART FIEST. 

1. Chant. — The Lord's Prayer. 

2. Young Folks at Home. 

3. My Boat adown the iStream. 

4. Ye banks and braes. 

5. Round. 

6. The Gipsey. 

7. Kitty Clyde. 

8. Railroad Cars are coming. 

9. The Misletoe bough. 

10. Old Dog Tray. 

11. Round. — May all the Universe be free. 

12. Temperance Song. 

PART SECOND. 

13. "Work, play and rest. 

14. Old Folks have gone. 

15. Happy are we, &c. 

16. We'll paddle our own canoe. 

17. Farewell my Lilly dear. 

18. Saci-ed Songs. 

19. Hard times, come again no more. 

20. Round. — Follow me. 

21. Children in the woods. 

22. Do what is right. 

23. Old folks at home. 

24. Pray don't fret. 

Doors open at 7 1-2, to commence at 8 o'clock. Tickets 12 1-2 cents, 
at A. W. Lovering's, and at the door. 
Exeter, June 23, 1855. 



81 

Names of the Scholars, who attended the last school of 
Mr. Thompson, in Exeter, N. H., April term, 1856. 

Geo. Thurston, G. N. Kimball, Daniel Dudley, Freeman Cuban, 
Frank Leavitt, Fred, Lane, SV. II. B. Brigham, Charles Robinson, C W. 
Colbath, C. B. Gill, Daniel McAvory, M. L. Marsh, Daniel Kidder, Dan- 
iel Hartnett, Gideon Carter, J. W. Marsh, George Tanner, Albon Good- 
win, E. S. Bachelder, C. R. Barker, C. 11. Thyng, Joseph Flood, J. M. 
Evans, Joshua Weeks, James Ricker, George W. Fifield, "William Hart- 
nett, Alex Twilight, Nath'l Weeks, Walter Elliot, Samuel Swett, Albert 
Bowley, F. W. Collins, W. S. P:ilis, Taylor Fletcher, George Warren, 
Walter Dearborn, J. A. Ellison, Gardner Collins, Hugh Riley, Michael 
llartnett, Henry Dewherst, C. F. Smith, A. A. Ellison, C. M. Smith, M. 
J. Tanner, M. F. Rollins, C. E. Jewell, :\I. A. Warren, L. II. Drew, H. 
E. Ham, M. L. Gooch, M. J. Langley, M. A. Lov ring, Elizabeth Brag- 
don, Margaret Waters, A. J. Webster, S. E. Sloore, Lucy Payson, H. E. 
Carter, S. F. Smith, A. E. Weeks, J. A. Twilight, G. L. Nudd, M. A. 
Lane, A. A. Brigham, M. J. Clark. 

ASA MANN, » Snp't School Com. 



,! 



L. W. LEONARD, i of Exeter, N. H. 
GRAMMAR SCHOOL EXHIBITION. 

In 1857, by request of the School Committee and the 
first men of Exeter, Mr. Thompson gave a public exhibi- 
tion, in which many of his pupils took an active part. 
The hall was crowded, and the exercises were of a varied 
and highly interesting character, as will be seen by the 
following Program. 

An Exhibition of the Grammar School, under the charge of B. B. 
Thompson, will be given at the New Town Hall, Exeter, Tuesday even- 
ing, Jan. G, 1857. 

PROGRAMME. 

PART FIRST. 

1. Song.— The Village School. By the School. 

2. Declamation.— A Parody. J- C. Bartlett. 

3. Dialogue. — Arithmetic. S. Swett and W. S. Ellis. 

4. Dialogue. — Avoid bad company. 

F. Leavitt, D. Dudley, and G. N. Kimball. 



5. Singing. ■ By the School. 

6. Duet on the Piano — Cracovienne. 

Performed by Misses C. Jewell and M. A. Warren. 

7. Dialogue. — Honesty. A. E. Ellison and G. Cullins. 

8. Phonetics, &c. 

9. Dialogue. — Ungrounded suspicions. 

C. II. Tliyng, J. Richer and E. Batchelder. 

10. Duet. — ?ileet me by the Running Brook. 

Misses A. A. Ellison, C. Smith, E. Ham and L. M. Payson. 

11. Dialogue. — Study, Stutly, Study. 

Misses E. Ham, M. Gooch, and SI. A. Vv^arren. 

12. Declamation. — School Committee. A. Curtis. 

PART SECOND. 

13. Song. — We roam througli foresc Shades. By the School. 

14. Declamation. — To Grumblers. A. B. Goodwin. 

15. Dialogue. — The Fractious Man. G. Warren and S. Swett. 
1 G. Gymnastics. By the School. 

17. Declamation. — Free Schools. M. Hall. 

18. Dialogue. — Pat in the Telegraph Office. 

A. B. Goodwin and C. II. Thyng. 

19. Declamation. — The Youth of Washington. H. Dewhurst. 

20. Singing, &c. By the School. 

21. Declamation. — The Scholar's Lament. W. S. Ellis. 

22. Orthophony. By the School. 

23. Declamation. — Valedictory. C. H. Thyng. 

24. Song. — Now School is done. By the School. 
Doors open at six o'clock — to commence at 6 1-2. 

At a later day, the Exhibition was repeated by the re-' 
quest of prominent citizens, with some change in the Pro- 
gram. 

This entertainment was noticed as follows : — 

Mr. Thompson's entertainment on Tuesday evening was a verj^ pleasant 
occasion, and reflected much credit on his pupils and their teachings. 
The singing was in good time and tune, and the declamations, consideri:ig 
the age and advantages of the pupils very correct. The declamation by 
Mr. Hall a young colored man, was exceedingly creditable, and would 
have been very good in any of our more advanced seminaries of learning. 
An impromptu declamation wa? given by Mr. Swain a m3mber of PaiUips 
E.^eter Academy, and was done in very good taste and manner. Mr. 



83 

Thompson's interest and zeal for the benefit of his pupils have been so 
often tested and so thoroughly known, we need only say, the exhibition of 
Tuesday evening in this town, was only another proof that they have not 
been in vain. — Exeter News-Letter . 

In another paper appeared the following item. The al- 
lusion to the quiet of the audience proves that they re- 
spected Mr. Thompson, and enjoyed the Concert. 

Mr. Thompson's entertainment on Tuesday evening was a very pleasant 
affair. The children looked and appeared well and happy, and the audi- 
ence were the most quiet we have seen in Exeter for many a day. As a 
Yankee's instinct is to look for precedents, we hope the quiet and proprie- 
ty of that evening may be the era of a new order of things in the assem- 
blages of our people. — Exeter Paper. 

Exeter audiences varied according to the character of 
the entertainments ; the noisy class of people would not 
be likely to attend such a concert as the one mentioned ; 
and having the best people present was what made the 
audience " the most quiet '' the editor had " seen in Exe- 
ter for many a day. " 

In 1857, Mr. Thompson returned to his old home and 
farm, in Deerfield, and in that year and 1858 and 1859, 
had singing schools in Epsom, Pembroke, Suncook, and 
other places. Before leaving Exeter, he received the fol- 
lowing flattering testimonial : — 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 

This may certify that Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson has resided in this 
town, the most of the time, for the last eight years past, and is a man of 
good character and is highly deserving the encouragement of all those who 
would promote habits of industry and morality. 

ASA JEWELL, ) 

ALFRED CONNOR, )■ Selectmen of Exeter. 
JOHN W. ELLIOT, ) 
Exeter, April 8, 1857. 

SUNCOOK. 

This growing and important village is formed partly 
from AUenstown, but mostly from Pembroke ; it has so 



84 

wonderfully increased in business and trade, that it has 
taken away the prestige of Pembroke street, which was 
formerly the principal settlement. Manufacturing and 
many other branches of industry flourish here, and few 
villages in the State have made more rapid progress to- 
wards becoming generally known for thrift and prosperity 
than has this enterprising village. A branch of the Con- 
cord and the Suneook Valley railroads furnish the place 
with excellent railway facilities. Near Suneook, there 
are extensive brick yards, of which the most extensive is 
owned by Gen. Natt Head ; there is also a granite quarry 
of some importance near the village. 

SCHOOL COMMISSIONER. 

In 1859, the friends of Mr. Thompson, and of educa- 
tion, put in circulation a Recommendation to have him 
appointed School Commissioner. The Document, with 
the names of many influential men attached, is here pre- 
served in remembrance of the persons who thus endeavor- 
ed to assist him. 

To his Excellency the Governor, and the Honorable Council of New 
Hampshire. Kespectfully represent, the undersigned, that they are well 
acquainted with Mr. Benjamin B. Thompson, of Deerfield ; and believing 
him in all respects well qualified for the office of School Commissioner for 
the County of Rockingham, recommend his appointment to that office. 

Charles H. Bell, Nathaniel W. Leavitt, Moses N. Collins, Oilman 
Marston, Wm. G. Perry, Nathaniel Gordon, J. C. HiUiard, Isaiah S. 
Brown, John S. Brown, W. W. Stickney, John W. Clark, C. S, Conner, 
William Conn, "Wm. P. Moulton, Charles Conner, W. F. Lawrence, Hen- 
ry M. Eaton, Freeman Parker, Geo. W. Simpson, Eben Marston, Samuel 
G. Haines, James Bean, J. B. Cilley, J. J. Dearborn, Sewall Goodhue, 
J. 0. Haynes, G. M. Sanborn, John S. Robinson, B. D. Leighton, Jno. 
Sullivan, WiUiam Odlin, John P. P. Kelly, Benjamin Lang, Nath'l Shute, 
N. A. Shute, Moses B. Smith, William Thompson, Jr., Charles M. Nor- 
ris, James M. Pike, George W. Lawrence, Benjamin M. Folsom, George 
E. Lawrence, Geo. W. Plumer, Sam. Plumer, John H. Pike, J. H. Pres- 
cott, Cha8^ W. Sargent, Joseph Blake, Sherburne Blake, William B. 



85 

Blake, Samuel Dudley, John D. Philbrick, A. James Fogg, W. S. Ring, 
Oilman C. Lang, J. W. Randall, Josiali B. Tilton, R. J. Sanborn, John 
Stevens, Jr., Samuel Woodman, Levi B. Philbrick, Daniel S. Batchelder, 
William Crawford, John 0. Odlin, James H. Butler, J. W. Odlin, Amos 
Kimball, Nathan M. Barker, Daniel Smith, A. P. Blake, J. Harvey Phil- 
brick, E. B. Fernald, J. Libby Barker, C. B. Haynes, J. W. Farrer. 

Notwithstanding the great strength and respectable character of the 
foregoing petition, Mr. Thompson did not, for some reason unknown to 
him, receive the appointment his friends had recommended for him. He, 
however, felt the same gratitude towards the many gentlemen who thus 
manifested their wish and their good will ; and to this day he doubts 
whethei" the Governor ever received an application for office signed by 
better or more respectable men. 

AT THE teachers' INSTITPTE. 

At this meeting, held at Deerfield Centre, May, 1859, 
Mr. Thompson was the instructor in music. The com- 
mittee on resokitions, consisting of J. W. Locke, C. A. 
Towle, and others, say : — " We present our sincere thanks 
to the Commissioner, Hiram Smart, Jr., for securing a 
Board of Instructors fully competent to do the work as- 
signed them. " Major John S, Jenness, an influential 
citizen of Deerfield, was so much interested in this Insti- 
tute, that he made a donation of fifteen copies of Web- 
ster's Unabridged Dictionary, or one for each of the fif- 
teen schools of the town. 

Teachers' Institutes received their first example and 
impulse from the musical conventions in New Hampshire, 
which originated at Concord ; the first one being held 
there under the direction of Prof. Henry E. Moore, a com- 
poser and teacher of that place, commencing in Septem- 
ber, 1829 ; in 1836, a convention was holden in Boston, 
Mass., by Mason & Webb. At this time, the works of 
Nageli and Pfeiff'er, were known to be in use upon the 
continent of Europe, and had been introduced into this 
country, b)' Mr. AVilliam C. Woodbridge, and this led tp 



86 

the formation of the Boston Academy of Music. The 
blackboard now took the place of the book, and the pu- 
pil, by the use of his own faculties and senses, was assist- 
ed to proceed, from principle to principle, until he mas- 
tered whatever the study might be. It is a discipline of 
the highest order, a subordination of mind, eye, and ear, 
unitedly tending to one object, education ; while any de- 
viation from that object is at once known. About this 
time there was a change in the manner of common school 
teaching ; our schools were no longer made mere houses 
of correction, in which animal nature was kept in subjec- 
tion by the law of brute force, and the stated drudgery of 
distasteful tasks. Previous to this time teachers consider- 
ed it a duty to develop the intellectual part of the pu- 
pil's nature, solely — without for a moment thinking that 
all pupils ought to have provided for them, proper amuse- 
ments. Experiments, at last, convinced the teachers, 
some of them, that they could not bring up a race of men 
upon Lyceum Lectures solely ; wholesome though that 
food might be ; they became satisfied that school children 
needed some agreeable excitement ; some recreation as 
well as hard study. Then came the question " what shall 
the recreation be ? '' The result was the introduction of 
gymnastics and music. Parents as well as teachers have 
since learned that every pure and refined pleasure for 
which a child acquires a relish is, to that extent, a safe- 
guard and preservative against a low and debasing one. 

AT HAVERHILL, MASS. 

In the winter of 1861-2, Mr. Thompson taught the East 
Parish school in District No. 5. The term was of twelve 
and one-half weeks' duration ; and the committee, in their 
published report say : — " The school is still making pro- 
gress under the cax'e of Mr, Thompson, who has kbored 



87 

for many years in the work of teaching. By his efforts 
this winter, he shows that he understands his business, 
and is very earnest in the pursuit of it. " 

REMARKS. 

The past year has been, in some respects, an unfavorable one for educa- 
tion ; the stirring scenes tijrough which our community has been called to 
pass, have largely taxed the attention of our children. The sound of the 
drum and fife, and the appearance of a company of soldiers, are enough to 
render children oblivious to books for a whole day. For days together 
these were no uncommon sights in our streets. Every child overflowed 
with patriotism, and the pictorial papers occupied attention more than 
school books; and the character of generals, and expected forward move- 
ments, found more thought, than problems and propositions. In view of 
all these things we congratulate the teacher upon the successful work 
that has been performed. ScnooL Cojimittee : Charles H. Seymour, 
J. V. Smiley, N. S. Howe, M. J. Steare, Homer Barrows, Abraham 
Burnham. 

THE TOWN. 

Haverhill, Mass., is a large, handsome and healthy, as 
well as wealthy place ; it was settled in 1610, and was 
originally known as JPentucket^ and one of the rivers of the 
town was formerly famous for alewires. It has long been 
known, like Lynn, as a place where shoes are made, and 
there was at one time, in Haverhill, more than one hun- 
dred shoe manufactories. Great hill, is a high elevation, 
340 feet above the sea ; the town is pleasantly located, 
and you can count hundreds of dwellings that appear one 
above another upon the rising land ; the river views are 
splendid, as is the view over the other side. The famous 
Hannah Duston, who was captured by the Indians, in 1698, 
and for whom an Island, in the Merrimack, between Bos- 
cawen and Concord, was named, was a citizen of Haver- 
hill ; on this island, when her captors were asleep, she 
and her confederates killed ten Indians, and returned to 
her home in safety with the scalps ; a handsome monu- 
ment now marks the spot. 



88 

EXTRACTS FROM TOWN RECORDS. 

In the olden time all the freeholders in the town of Ha- 
verhill were compelled to attend the town meetings, and 
stay there until sunset, under the penalty of paying half a 
bushel of Indian corn, or the value of it. On the Lord's 
day, Abraham Tyler was employed to blow his horn half 
an hour before meeting, and was to receive one pound of 
pork annually, for his services, from each family. John 
Webster had six acres of land given him for following the 
trade of a blacksmith. To any Indian, that shall kill a 
wolf in the town, the officers were directed to pay forty 
shillings. All persons, on penalty of two shillings, were 
ordered to keep their places, as they are seated, in the 
meeting-house. The public ferry-man was obliged, by 
vote of the town, to carry ministers across the river free, 
on the Sabbath. The school house was used as a watch- 
house, and to entertain people that brought their dinners, 
on Sunday, to meeting. The powder was kept in the 
meeting house, because they had no fires there. The in- 
habitants were allowed to cut staves, from the town lands, 
to pay taxes. The meeting house was fortified, and a 
gallery made for the women. It being the interest and 
desire of the people, for the sake of back, b.elly and purse, 
the town had land cleared for sheep, at the public expense. 
Any man who killed a bitch ivolf leceived from the town 
ten shillings, because she will then bring no more whelps. 
Such were some of the old laws, rules and regulations of 
the town of Haverhill, Mass., as appears by the records. 
It is a little curious that an Indian who killed a wolf was 
paid forty shillings, while " any man '' who killed the she 
wolf was only paid ten shillings ! It may have been that 
in 1662, w^hen forty shillings were voted to any Indian, 
wolves were more destructive than in 1696, when only ten 
shillings were paid for a like service. 



AT CANDIA, N. H. 

In few towns, where Mr. Thompson taught music, had 
there been more attention given to its cultivation than in 
this town ; there were in the place many musical families 
and a large number of persons who were good singers, 
and several persons who were excellent performers upon 
wind and stringed instruments ; of course his school was a 
good one, for in such a town, nearly all who would attend 
a singing school knew something about music. This town 
was named by Gov. Benning Wentworth, who was once a 
prisoner on the island of Candia, (the ancient Crete) in 
the Mediterranian sea. The soil is naturally hard of cul- 
tivation ; but the industry of the inhabitants has made it 
fruitful. The site of the town is elevated and commands 
an extensive view. The first settler was William Turner, 
1748; sixty -nine soldiers of the revolution went from this 
town, and a number of distinguished men were born and 
bred in Candia. A very interesting " History of Candia ; 
once known as Charmingfare ; with notices of some of the 
early families, " was published by F. B. Eaton, Esq., in 
1852, to which the reader is referred for information. — 
Though a farming town, it was for many years famous for 
its coopers and the manufacture of barrels and staves ; but 
the character of the town has changed with the introduc- 
tion of a railway, and is now more known for its manufac- 
ture of boots and shoes, of which more than 300,000 paks 
are manufactured annually. 

A NOTE FROM AN EMINENT TEACHER. 

Boston, March 26, 1863. 

TO AVHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 

I am happy to certify that I have long known the bearer, Mr. B. B. 
Thompson, who was a townsman and neighbor of mine. He has been en- 
gaged in teaching, much of the time, for the past twenty years, not only in 



90 

his own town, but in Lowell, Exeter, Plaverhlll, and elsewhere ; and al- 
ways, I believe, with success. I regard the testimony, which he has from 
Cliancellor Hoyt, and Rev. Dr. Leonard, of very higli authority, and I 
never heard but one opinion of him, as a teacher, and that was a good 
opinion. He has a (act for teaching and governing ; and I cordially re- 
commend him as a good, reliable teacher for a Grammar school. 
* JOHN D. PHILBRICK. 

In 1863, 1864 and 1865, Mr. Thompson gave much at- 
tention to farming in his native town, only leaving home 
for some short school terms and winter singing schools. 
He had already kept more than one hundred different 
schools ; they cannot all be mentioned here ; his schools 
being occasionally in different parts of the same towns ; 
and his singing schools freqnently in towns where he did 
not have any day schools. He taught music in the School 
Institutes, for the education of Teachers, five terms, in 
different towns. Nearly all the towns, where he had 
schools, are mentioned in this work, but not the different 
villages of the same town. 

AT ALLENSTOWN, N. H. 

Singing in this town had been neglected ; but Mr. 
Thompson had a grand school here ; and a school that 
would compare favorably with any other. The town was 
famous for the great quantities of lumber annually sent to 
market. On Catamount hill is found large quantities of 
fine granite for building purposes ; and here is a preci- 
pice of seventy feet nearly perpendicular, at the foot of 
which is a cavern of some extent, inclining upwards. The 
first settlers suffered some from the Indians ; James Carr 
was killed, and Robert Buntin and his son, were carried to 
Canada, and sold in Montreal ; but escaped and reached 
home in safety. Andrew, the son, entered tlje service of 
his country and died at White Plains, 1776. AUenstown, 
now, claims, in the village of Suncook, one of the most 



91 

extensive cotton mills in New Hampshire ; and has other 
important branches of mechanical industry and trade, 
which gives employment to a large number not engaged 
in agriculture. 

WHAT THE SELECTMEN SAY. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. ♦ 

This may certify that Mr.^ B. B. Thompson has resided in this town, 
most of the time, from his boyhood, and is a man of good moral character ; 
and is highly deserving the encouragement of all those who would promote 
habits of industry and morality. 

ARTHUR TENNANT,) 

B. S. BROWN, V Selectmen of Deerfield. 

JOHN M. FREESE, ) 
Deerfield, N. H., January 4, 1866. 

In 1866, the old school master was again in demand 
both for day schools and singing schools ; and as he then 
thought of resuming the work of teaching again as an oc- 
cupation, the Selectmen of Deerfield gave him a recom- 
mendation which would be of use and value in any place 
where he might teach. 

AT SOUTH NEWMARKET. 

In this town the soil is good, and agricultural pursuits 
are here crowned with much success ; there are several 
pleasant and thriving villages in the place, which was 
originally a part of Exeter ; but was incorporated in 1727. 
The Wesleyan Academy is a flourishing institution, incor- 
porated in 1818. Here resided Mrs. Fanny Shute, who, 
when thirteen months old, was taken by a party of In- 
dians, to Canada and sold ; she received there an educa- 
tion in a nunnery ; and after 13 years of captivity, was re- 
deemed and restored to her friends. She was regarded 
with respect, not only for her excellent qualities, but the 
adventures of her youth; died 1819. Lamprey river is 
navigable to the falls, where stand the cotton mills, and 
this village has a large trade as well as considerable man- 



92 

Tifacturing business. The Boston and Maine road passes 
through the town. 

AT HAMPTON FALLS. 

Here Mr. Thompson had an exceedingly interesting 
••singing school, old and young being equally interested. 
This was originally a part of Hampton, from which it was 
separated and incorporated in 1712 ; and though near the 
ocean, the land, back from the marshes, is somewhat ele- 
vated, and the soil fertile ; the farming interests are well 
cared for though a very extensive business is done in man- 
ufacturing lumber, and in making shoes and cotten bat- 
ting. When the town of Hampton was first settled, it 
was described, 1639, " as near the sea coast and having a 
great store of salt marsh ; in form it is like a Flower-de- 
luce ; two streets of houses wheeling off from the main 
body thereof; the land is fertile but filled with swamps 
and some store of rocks ; the people are about sixty fami- 
lies, having about 450 head of cows and cattle. " Here 
resided the celebrated Seaborn, John, and Theophilus Cot- 
ton, the ancestors of most, if not all, of this name, in the 
State. 

LIFE INSURANCE. 

In 1867, and 1868, and 1869, Mr. Thompson was en- 
gaged by Geo. A. French, Esq., as an agent in the Life 
Insurance business ; and though he received a liberal sal- 
ary, says it was not a profitable business ; he says :— • 

My expei'ience, in the Insurance business, has satisfied me that in order 
to live by the trade of insurance, the common premium must be sufficient 
to compensate the common losses, to pay the expenses of the management, 
and to afford such a profit as might have been drawn from an equal capi- 
tal employed in any. common trade. The person who pays no more than 
this evidently pays no more than the real value of the risk, or the lowest 
possible price at which he can expect to be insured. I know that some 
have made a, little money by insurance ; but few, I imagine, have become 



93 

rich in the business ; and from this consideration alone, it seems evident 
enough that the ordinary baLince of profit and loss is not more advantag:- 
ous in this than in other common trades by which so many people make a 
living. I once asked a man to have his life insured, and he refused for 
the reason that it would cost too much ; he silenced all my arguments by 
showing me a remarkable case of reported longevity. A man died in 
Smyrna, at the age of. 132 years. Although he had always lived an irreg- 
ular lif^, and had consumed an average of a pint of brandy every two days, 
he retained full possession of his five senses, as also a complete set of 
teeth, up to the moment of his death. He also continued to the last to at- 
tend to the duties of his vocation — a baker. This man was born in ] 735 
aid died in 1867 ; he had lived during the reign of nine Sultans. Now, 
said the individual, you can calculate what it would have cost that man to 
get insured ; and you can at the same time calculate what he would have 
done with the money your company would have paid him after he died! 
Such we; e some of the various reasons given for remaining uninsured. 
The labor of obtaining subjects for life insurance was the hardest work I 
ever attempted and I was glad to retire from the business ; but my em- 
ployer is still in it, and I think those who know him, know him to be a 
gentleman of honor, whose word is as good as his note. 

Among some of the amusing incidents, the following account of the way 
in which a fashionable young lady received information that her lover was 
going off with consumption, is worth preserving. She wrote, on receiving 
the news, asking if her poor Jeffi-ey had kept up his life insurance ? For, 
as he was in a distant State, seeking the restoration of his health, she had 
lost the run of his Policy. In due couise of mail, she recivjiyed answer 
tliat " tho Policy for the sum of $10,000, in her favor, was paid up until 
the coming year ; and that her poor Jeffrey could not possibly live till 
that time." Being fully assured of these important facts, the faithful and 
devoted 'young lady wrote to her dying lover : " Darling, I will be with 
you on Thursday next, nevr to leave you again, my beloved, during life; 
so keep up good courage. " When the young lady was preparing to leave 
home to visit the sick and dying man she so much loved, her mother said ; 
" Mary Elizabeth, I hope for the best, my dear daughter ; but it will be 
a sad loss to you, if your dear Jeffrey should die." ^' Yes, ma," sobbed 
the afflicted daughter — " but I have ascertained beyond the shadow of a 
doubt, that the great loss i^ fully covered by insurance / " 

AT STRATH AM, N. H. 

In 1870, and in 1871, Mr. Thompson taught a day school 
in Stratham, N. H, Some of his friends in ExQter, iii/or- 



der to make him ]S:nown in Stratham, gave him the follow- 
ing :— 

Exeter, Oct. 10, 1870. 
Mr. B. B. Thompson, some fifteen years since, taught in one of the 
Grammar Schools of this town, givino^ satisfaction to his employers. He 
also taught Sacred Music. He is a gentleman of good moral character. 

GIDEON L. SOULE, 
GEORGE A. WENT WORTH. 

After a thorough examination, as was the custom of the 
school committee, Mr. Thompson received the following 
certificate : — 

This may certify that B. B. Thompson is qualified to instruct youth in 
reading, spelling, English Grammar, arithmetic and the elements of Ge- 
ography and History. 

JOHN J. SCAMMON, School Committee, 

Stratham, Oct. 24, 1870. 

Stratham is distant about eight miles from the sea ; the 
land is even, and well calculated for agricultural purposes ; 
farming is so exclusively the employment of the people, 
that, although a navigable river adjoins it, there was, for- 
merly, little attention given to any other pursuit. There 
is a very extensive swamp in the east part of the town, 
containing tlie largest repository of peat in the State. 
This town was a part of the Squamscot patent owned by 
the Hiltons. It was chartered in 1716. Phinehas Mer- 
rill Esq., was a native of this town ; he was eminent as a 
surveyor, and assisted in preparing the famous map of 
New Hampshire, published by Philip Carrigain, and well 
known in the State ; he was also several years a represen- 
tative in the legislature, and died in 1814, aged 47. Con- 
siderable attention is paid to the raising of many kinds of 
fruits in this town, especially apples. 

In 1872, Mr. Thompson occupied his time in Deerfield. 

AT SCTTHEVILLE, N. H. 

In 1374, Mr. TJiompson taught singing in New London, 



95 

at Scytheville, a considerable villaj^e of the town, so called 
for the business of the place, scythe-making ; large quan- 
tities being manufactured here. The New London Liter- 
ary and Scientific Institution, incorporated in 1854, is one 
of the largest and most flourishing institutions in the State. 
The Constitution of New Hampshire declares that " it shall 
be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future 
periods of this government, to cherish the interests of lit- 
erature and science as well as all seminaries and public 
schools ; to encourage private and public institutions, re- 
wards and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, 
arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and natu- 
ral history of the country ; to countenance and inculcate 
the principles of humanity and general benevolence, pub- 
lic and private charity, industry and economy, honesty and 
punctuality, sincerity, and all social affections and gener- 
ous sentiments among the people. " 

NEW LONDON, N. H. 

New London was incorporated in 1779 ; its first name 
was Dantzlck ; and at one period the place was known as 
Heidlehurg. Sunapee lake forms its western boundary ; 
and Pleasant pond, in the north part of the town is about 
two miles long and one wide. The settlements, upon the 
three large swells of land, extend through the town ; the 
soil is deep and generally good ; in some parts, the land 
is rocky, but capable of cultivation. There was formerly 
a flourishing musical society in the place which did much 
towards improving the standard of church music in that 
region. The first child born in the town was John Lamb, 
in 1776. A violent whirlwind visited this town in Sept. 
1821, and the damage sustained was estimated at $9000. 
The gale continued during the whole day, and its severity 
was felt over the whole country ; the rain fell in torrents ; 



95 

the deafening roar of the storm, and the mingled crash- 
ing of windows and chimneys and falling timbers inspired 
great terror. The house of John Davis was entirely de- 
molished ; not a timber or board was left on the ground 
where the house stood ; every thing in the house was 
swept away, and not five dollars worth of all was ever 
found. Providentially the family were away at the time. 
Many other buildings were unroofed and barns blown 
down. In one orchard a hundred trees were uprooted and 
carried away, and the shores of the lake were covered 
with fragments from all directions. Everything in the 
course of the whirlwind for about four miles was a wreck. 
Stones, weighing seventy pounds, were taken up and car- 
ried rods away, and whole sides of barns were carried more 
than eighty rods distance ; a hog that would weigh three 
or four hundred pounds was carried two rods, and deposi- 
ted, safe, upon a stone wall. 

DICIPLINE. 

The School Report says : — " If there is any place on 
the surface of the earth where order is the first and last 
and highest law, that place is the school-room. Without 
it there can be no such thing as progress. But in main- 
taining discipline it is not necessary for the Teacher to be 
rough and severe. He need not go armed and equipped 
with bludgeons or blunderbusses. He adds no weight to 
his authority by bloody threats " full of sound and fury, 
signifying nothing. '' But he must be prompt in decision, 
firm in^purpose and uniform in action. His laws should 
be few, but as immutable as the laws of nature ; and the 
penalty of wilful transgression should be as certain as the 
decrees of Fate. Or, as Tupper expresses it, " 

" Be obeyed when thou comraandest : but command not often ; 

Let thy carriage be the gentleness of love, not the stern front of tyranny." 



97 

" If, as will sometimes happen with the most skilful 
managers, corporeal punishment becomes unavoidable as 
a last resort, the guilty culprit should even then be dealt 
with as old Isaak Walton dealt with the frog he used for 
bait, — " running the hook through his mouth and out at 
his gills, and in doing so using him as though he loved 
him. '' The operation, however, should never be a trifling 
one to the offender. It should be an event in his history 
to date from and be remembered. He should, in after 
years, y/hen clothed and in liis right mind, look back upon 
it as the time when the Devil was cast out of him, and a 
better and truer life commenced within him. " 

STUDY. 

" It is to be hoped that there is no one of our people so 
engrossed with plans of personal preferment, as to be un- 
willing to attend to the present necessities of his children 
or to consult for their future well being and success. Our 
system of common schools is connected not only with the 
highest interests of the people, but with the true greatness 
of the State and the permanency of the Government. 
None of us need be "frightened out of our propriety,'' 
ordinarily speaking, lest o^r children study too hard or 
know too much. It does not follow as a logical sequitur, 
that, because " a little learning is a dangerous thing, '' 
therefore a good deal is, a fortiori, a deadly evil. The ob- 
jection, is sometimes made to some of the branches of 
school study that they are not sufficiently practical — that 
they do not dove-tail into the business of e very-day life. 
We remember, that, in Virgil's beautiful description of the 
games about the tomb of Anchises, the prize was not tak- 
en by the competitor whose arrow entered the mast ; nor 
by the one Avho cut the string ; nor yet by him who hit 
the dove in its upward flight ; but the palm of victory was 



98 

awarded to him whose far-ascending shaft kindled among 
the clovids, and marked its track with flames. It is not 
all of life to live. The process of digestion is not the only 
nor the highest function of organized existence. We have 
hearts as well as hands ; intellectual aspirations as well as 
animal appetites. We might, however, say with entire 
truth, that every study, which requires mental exertion, is 
a practical one. It matters but little what the branch of 
study is, whether it belongs to the higher Mathematics or 
to low Dutch, only let it demand patient, continuous, earn- 
est thought, and it will be of service in this " working-day 
world. '' The solution of a hard problem in Algebra 
strengthens and invigorates the mind, just as roast beef 
does the. body. Besides all this, the school pursuits of 
our children should be fitted not only to increase their 
money-making power, but also to widen the range of their 
vision and to multiply the sources of their happiness. The 
boy who lias studied faithfully some treatise on Astrono- 
my, for instance, will ever after live in a new world ; a 
new heavens wdll bend over his head ; the stars, no longer 
mere " gimlet-holes to let the glory through, '' become the 
centres of revolving systems, and the universe, instead of 
being shut in within the confines of the old neighborhood, 
expands itself into the boundless realm of the Infinite 
One. " 

VALUE OF MUSIC. 

There are in this country, say one hundred thousand 
schools, and in them are the people who, in coming years, 
will mould the character of America ; give these schools 
music, and you make a musical people ; you set in motion 
a mighty power, which silently, but surely in the end, will 
humanize, refine, and elevate a whole country. Music 
deals with abstract beauty, and so lifts man to the source 
of all beauty — from finitB to infinite, and from the world 



99 

of matter to the wo«'ld of spirits and to God. The tradi- 
tions of antiquity tell us of seditions quelled ; cures 
wrought ; fleets and armies governed ; rocks, woods and 
trees influenced ; walls uprising, and other wonders, pro- 
claiming the mysterious union between music and civiliz- 
ation. Prophets and wise men, large-minded lawgivers of 
the olden time, understood and acted on this truth ; the 
ancient oracles were uttered in song ; the laws of the 
twelve tables were set to music, and got by heart at school ; 
minstrel and sage are yet, in some languages, convertible 
terms ; music is allied to the highest sentiments of man's 
moral nature — love of God, love of country, love of friends. 
Wo to the nation in which these sentiments are allowed 
to go to decay ! Unutterable energies reside in church 
music, national airs, and fire-side melodies ; they inform 
and enlarge the mighty heart of a free people. In Ger- 
many, the most musical country in the world, music is 
taught like the alphabet. In Switzerland and Prussia it 
is an integral part of the system of instruction ; so now in 
France. England has not done so much for music ; they 
exclude music from the schools, and then complain that 
there is no music among scholars. In America, from the 
State of Massachusetts, first went out the great principle, 
that the property of all should be taxed for the education 
of all ; and from that State, in 1831, went forth the now 
more common opinion that it is advisable, and good policy, 
to tax all for teaching music to all. Rome grew to great- 
ness by adopting whatever she found useful among the na- 
tions whom she conquered. The true policy of the Amer- 
ican legislator on the subject of education is, to gather 
whatever of good, or bright, or fair, can be found from all 
countries and all times, and wield the whole for the build- 
ing up and adorning of the free institutions of our own 
country. If this is an error, then Pythagoras, Plato, IMsl- 



100 

ton, Luther, Pestalozzi, Fellenberg, and others were in er- 
ror ; and finer spirits than theirs, the world has never 
bred. 

MUSIC, 1831. 

The first systematic effort towards recognizing the claims 
of music, as a branch of elementary instruction, in the 
common schools in this country, was made in Boston, 
Mass., about 1831 ; and before the opening of the Acade- 
my of Music in that city. It was said at that time there 
were ten schools in Boston, which used piano-fortes, and 
that the whole number of schools was then 323. Music 
was generally regarded as belonging solely to the higher 
air of poetry and fiction ; it found no favor with school 
committees or teachers, except so far as it reached the con- 
viction through the doors, not of the fancy, but of the un- 
derstanding. Among the seven liberal arts, which the 
scholastic ages regarded as pertaining to humanity, music 
had its place ; and arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and 
music were of importance ; of these, music had degrees 
conferred separately, at Oxford, in England ; it was known 
that memory, comparison, attention and the intellectual 
faculties, all of them, were quickened by the study of mu- 
sic; it was not cultivated as an ornamental accomplish- 
ment, but as an intellectual. 

MORAL EFFECTS OF MUSIC. 

There is a mysterious connection, ordained undoubtedly 
for wise purposes, between certain sounds and the moral 
sentiments of man ; in music the very image of virtue and 
vice is perceived ; the natural scale can only produce good, 
virtuous, and kindly feelings. You must reverse this 
scale, if you would call forth the sentiments of a corrupt, 
degraded, and degenerate character. Happiness, content- 
ment, cheerfulness, and tranquility are the natural effects 



101 

of music ; and these qualities are connected intimately 
with the moral government of a people ; proper exercises 
in vocal music, expand the chest, and thereby strengthen 
the lungs and vital organs ; intellectually, morally, and 
physically, vocal music has a natural place in every sys- 
tem of instruction which aspires to develope man's whole 
nature. Music was cultivated hundreds of years before the 
Christian era; it was recommended by Aristotle. Thrones 
crumble, and nations are swept away from the earth ; 
but music outlives the vicissitudes of fortune and the wreck 
of matter ; it endures the same from age to age. 

It is recorded that Alfred the Great achieved a 
victory over his enemies, the Danes, by virtue of a com- 
plete examination of their outposts and powers of defence 
in the disguised character of a harper. England owes 
much of her national character to the strong religious and 
patriotic sentiments of her national songs ; while Scotland 
and Ireland's history is so blended with their noble hymns 
and aifecting social ballads, that an account of their pro- 
gress, leaving them out of view, would be not less imper- 
fect than unjust. It is often the case, that the historian is 
startled in his researches by meeting in some of the songs 
of the people graphic descriptions of men and events, 
which he failed to find in formidable folios of greater liter- 
ary pretensions. 

NEW YORK CITY. 

A special committee was appointed in New York, in 
1854, to take into consideration the propriety of introduc- 
ing Vocal Music into the upper departments of the Com- 
mon Schools. That committee reported that — 

^' Of the effects of music associated with words of a proper character for 
the young, there can be but ono opinion. It arouses and elevates the 
heart, it is also, a very pleasant and effective means of invigorating the 
youthful constitution, and s^oxds to many the opportunities of making ^ 
respectable living. 



102 

" We have many evidences of the benefits to be derived from a scientific 
education in music. The history of the past presents to our view the 
lives of many who have acquired a bright and lasting fame by their skill 
in music. 

" The Gregorian chants, and the beautiful models of church music by 
various composers, are evidence of this ; while the name of Palestrina de- 
serves to be held in perpetual remembrance by every true musician. 

" Nor can we forget, in passing, those glorious names in musical history, 
the Abbe Voglpr, Haydn, and Mozart ; bright luminaries to all succeeding 
students of the higher forms of music, whose theoretical works, masses, or- 
atorios, and operas are indispensible to the completion of a musical library. 
And Cherubini, too, a name sacred to every living musician, no clearer 
musical mind has ever existed ; and the excellence of the Paris Conserva- 
tory of Music, of which he was for many years chief director, is, beyond 
question, due to his high and true genius. Now these names have been 
brought forward at this time, not simply as those of distinguished musi- 
cians, but to show the influence of their musical discipline upon their pu- 
pils and followers. They were all of them, more or less, employed by 
their respective governments in teaching in the conservatories established 
expressly for the advancement of the young ; and they had also their own 
private pupils and followers, who testified to their high moral worth, and 
the elevating influence of this divine art upon the character. 

" Much might be advanced in regard to the etFect of music in carrying 
out a correct and effective discipline in the schools. The effect is happy, 
not only upon pupils but upon teachers, affording to both a delightful re- 
lief fr6m the severer duties of school hours. This has been especially no- 
ticed in the Brooklyn schools and in such Ward schools in our city as have 
introduced vocal music. In this respect, it may be observed, the recomr. 
mendations of the President of the Board can be carried out ; for not only 
can the musical exercise be made healthful and entertaining, but, associa- 
ted as it should be, with choice language, in this way also, noble truths 
and lessons in the moral duties of lite can be quickly and agreeably im-? 
pressed upon the youthful mind. The Germans were early in establish- 
ing Common Schools for the people, in which music was considered as one 
of the branches of a Christian education, and cultivated accordingly. No 
other reason, in fact, accounts so satisfactorily for the general love of mur 
sic, and acquaintance with its highest and best forms, which characterize 
the modern Germans. England was before Germany in her cultivation 
of a noble church music and the madrigal, but it is only lately that any 
general adoption of music in her private and other schools has taken place. 
Indeed, Massachusetts was eax'lier interested in the cause, and has had vqt 



103 

cal music taught in her Common Schools now for more than twenty years. 
" In a large and mixel population like New York there are strong rea- 
sons for rescuing music from its unhallowed associations. The love of 
this beautiful art is common to all ; and if the tastes of the masses cannot 
be gratitied by enjoying music wedded to words of truth and goodness, 
those tastes, )^e assured, will be gratified by musical enjoyment of an un- 
equivocal character. 

CONCLUSION. 

Between five and six hundred years before the Chris- 
tian era, there lived ^sopus, born a slave, with no out- 
ward circumstances of fortune to recommend him to the 
notice of the Great ; but he forced his way by his mother- 
wit to freedom and into the court's of princes ; and laid 
the foundation of a fame, more universal, and perhaps 
lasting in its influence, than that of all the Seven Wise 
Men of Greece. His fables have come down to us, and 
are read and remembered by the old and young people of 
the present time. Up to this time, whatever wisdom from 
without had guided the councils of princes, had been de- 
rived from the traditionary lore of courts, or from the ver- 
ses of bards. E-eligion and History were handed down 
from mouth to mouth, and, the better to be remembered, 
were committed to metre, that they might be sung, ^sop 
was a famous instructor ; and Croesus probably learnt 
more home-truths from his fictions than from all the seri- 
ous disquisitions of his retained philosophers ; the great 
writer and singer of fables knew, that to be tolerated in 
courts, he must speak to please or not speak at all ; but 
at Delphi he forgot this maxim ; and having there incur- 
red the displeasure of the Delphians, they without any 
plea of justice, accused him of impiety and sacrilege, and 
the enraged guardians of the temple of the God of Greece, 
hurled the unfortunate fable-maker headlong from one of the 
highest precipices. It is recorded that plagues cursed the 
scene of this murder ; and the conscience-smitten Delphi- 



104 

ans, afterwards proclaimed their readiness to give compen- 
sation for his death — and did pay the sum awarded, to 
^sop's old master, verifying the proverb that "a murder- 
ed man's blood will not cry to heaven in vain. '' 

The old pioneer school-teachers and singing masters 
though they could not always " speak to please, " or re- 
frain from speakhig the truth, at times, were not con- 
demned and thrown from the highest precipices ; but they 
had many trials and sufferings ; they could not, withou* 
great effort, introduce new things, without being charged 
with " impiety and sacrilege, " and becoming liable to cen- 
sure or dismissal ; but " the old things have passed away 
and all things have become new ; '' and the teacher of the 
present day must be well posted in netv things, and keep 
school to please, or not teach at all. The old teacher, B. B. 
Thompson, is thankful to say to all, that during the many 
years in which he labored in the cause of education, he 
received the uniform good will and favorable regards gen- 
erally of his friends and pupils ; and that all his recollec- 
tions of his teaching life are pleasant and satisfactory. To 
the living people and pupils who have honored him be- 
yond his deservings, he once more tenders his sincere, 
heartfelt thanks, praying that the richest blessings of 
heaven may rest upon them ; and that " He who keepeth 
covenant and mercy with them that love Him, even to a 
thousand generations, will bless them and bless our com- 
mon country with righteousness, peace and plenty ; also 
that His goodness and mercy may follow us all the days 
of our lives. " 



105 



NOTE BY THE COMPILER. 



In preparing the foregoing pages, the compiler has de-- 
pended upon the memory of Mr. Thompson for many of 
the facts stated ; and has received all his information in 
regard to the different schools and teachings of the school- 
master, verbally. It would, therefore, be strange, indeed, 
if errors, especially in names and dates, should not be 
found in the accounts thus orally related. The several 
portions of the Address, the Reports of School Commit- 
tees, the Letters and Documents of recommendation, as 
well as Certificates are as originally written. The infor- 
mation relative to persons and places, as well as some of 
the anecdotes have been supplied by correspondence and 
by the recollection of Mr. Thompson. The compiler has 
carefully arranged all these matters according to the places 
and times when and where Mr. Thompson taught, in some 
year, from 1827 to IS 75 ; being only desirous of stating 
facts such as would illustrate the career of a pioneer teach- 
er, and give a faithful account of his efforts in the cause 
of Education. Such errors as come to the notice of the 
reader, it is believed, will be attributed to defective mem- 
ory and not to any disposition to misrepresent the facts. 
There are required so many qualifications and accomplish- 
ments in an historian, and so much care and niceness in 
writing history, that it is one of the most difficult labors 
any person can undertake. Dates sometimes become in- 
correct on account of the former method of recording time, 
when March was the first month of the year ; for then, 
January and February came at the close^ instead of at the 
commencement of the year ; so that a person who died in 
February, 1671, might be mentioned as being alive and 
well in July of that same year. In speaking of the places 
and persons of the olden time, some such errors may be 
found in this little book. The compiler, however, has 
tried to make the work as perfect as one written from 
memory could be. 



AN APPENDIX. 

ARRANGED BY B. B. THOHIPSON. 



Star Spangled Banner. 

O say can you see by the dawn's early light, 

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming, 
"Whose broad stripes and bright stars thro' the perilous fight, 

O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming ; 
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air; 

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there, 
O say does that star spangled banner yet wave, 

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mist's of the deep, 

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep 

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses ; 
Now it catches the gleam of the mornings first beam, 

In full glory reflected now shines on the stream, 
Tis the star spangled banner, O longmay it wave. 

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

And where is that band, who so vauntingly swore 

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion 
A home and a country, shall leave us no more, 

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution ; 
No refuge could save the hireling and slave. 

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, 
And the star spangled banner, in triumph shall wave, 

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

O ! tbus be it ever when freemen shall stand, 

Between their loved home and the war's desolation, 
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven rescued land 

Praise the Pow'r that has made and preserve'd us a nation. 
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, 

And this be our motto. In God is our trust ; 
And the star spangled banner, in triumph shall wave, 

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 



108 
Ked, ^Vhite, and Blue. 

Oh, Columbia, the gem of the ocean, 

The home of the brave and the free, 
The shrine of each patriot's devotion, 

A world offers homage to thee. 
Thy mandates make heroes assemble, 

When liberty's form stands in view ; 
Thy banners make tyranny tremble, 

When borne by the red, white, and blue. 

When borne by the red, white, and blue, 
When borne by the red, white, and blue ; 
Thy banners make tyranny tremble, 
When borne by the red, white, and blue. 

When war waged its wide desolation. 

And threatened our land to deform, 
The ark then of freedom's foundation, 

Columbia, rode safe through the storm. 
With her garland of victory o'er her, 

When so proudly she bore her bold crew, 
With her flag proudly floating before her, — 

The boast of the red, white, and blue. 
The boast of, &c. 

The wine cup, the wine cup bring hither, 

And fill you it up to the brim ; 
May the wreath they have won never wither, 

Nor the star of their glory grow dim. 
May the service united ne'er sever, 
And hold to their colors so true, 
The army and navy forever, — 

Three cheers for the red, white and blue- 
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue, 
Three cheers for the red, white, and blue ; 
The army and navy forever, — 
Three cheers for the red, white, aud blue. 



109 

ATild Lang Syne. 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 

And never brought to mind ; 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 

And songs of auld lang syne ? 
For auld lang syne we meet to-night. 

For auld lang syne ; 
To sing the songs our fathers sung 

In days of auld lang syne. 

We've passed through many varied scenes, 

Since youth's unclouded day ; 
And friends, and hopes, and happy dreams. 

Time's hand hath swept away. 
And voices that once joined with ours. 

In days of auld lang syne. 
Are silent now, and blend no more 

In songs of auld lang syne. 
Yet ever has the light of song 

Illumed our darkest hours : 
And cheered us on life's toilsome way, 

And gemmed our path with flowers : 
The sacred songs our fathers sang. 

Dear songs of auld lang syne ; 
The hallowed songs our fathers sang 

In days of auld lang syne. 

Here we have met, here we may part, 

To meet on earth no more ; 
And we may never sing again 

The cherished songs of yore : 
The sacred songs our fathers sang, 

In days of auld lang syne ; 
We may not meet to sing again 

The songs of auld lang syne. 

But when we've crossed the sea of life. 

And reached the heav'nly shore. 
We'll sing the songs our fathers sing, 

Transcending those of yore : 
We'll meet to sing diyiner strains 

Than those of auld lang syne ; 
Immortal songs of praise, unknown 

In days of anlid ^ang syne, 



. no 

Grod bless our ISXative Land. 

God bless our native land ! 
Firm may she ever stand 

Through storm and night ! 
When the wild tempests rave, 
Ruler of winds and wave, 
Do thou our country save 

By thy great might. 

For her our prayer shall rise 
To God above the skies ; 

On him we wait ; 
Thou who hast heard each sigh, 
Watching each weeping eye, 
Be thou forever nigh ; — 

God save the State ! 

' Hail ColTimbi 



Hail Columbia ! happy land ! 
Hail, ye heroes ! heaven-born band ! 

Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause. 
Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause, 
And when the storm of war was gone. 
Enjoyed the peace your valor won. 
Let Lidependence be our boast, 
Ever mindful what it cost ; 
Ever grateful for the prize, 
Let its altar reach the skies. 

Firm — united — let us be. 
Rallying round our Liberty ; 
As a band of brothers joined, 
Peace and safety we shall find. 

Immortal patriots ! rise once more ; 

Defend your rights, defend your shoi'e ; 
Let no rude foe, with impious hand, 
Let no rude foe, with impious "hand, 

Invade the shrine where sacred lies 

Of toil and blood the well-earn'd prize. 
While ofiering peace sincere and just, 



Ill 

In Heaven we place a manly trust, 
That truth and justice will prevail, 
And every scheme of bondage Mi. 
Firm — united, &c. 

Sound, sound the trump of Fame ! 
Let Washington's great name 

Ring through the world with loud applause, 

Ring through the world with loud applause ; 
Let every clime to Freedom dear 
Listen with a joyful ear. 

With equal skill, and godlike power. 

He governed in the fearful hour 

Of horrid war ; or guides, with ease, 

The happier times of honest peace. 
Firm — united, &c. 

Behold the chief who now commands. 
Once more to serve his country, stands — 

The rock on which the storm will beat, 

The rock on which the storm will beat ; 
But, armed in virtue firm and true, 
His hopes are fixed on Heaven and you. 

When hope was sinking in dismay. 

And glooms obscured Columbia's day, 

His steady mind, from changes free, 

Resolved on death or liberty. 
Firm — united, &c. 

Home, S-weet Home. 

'Mid pleasures and palaces, though we may roam, 
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home ; 
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there, 
Which seek through the world, is ne'er met with elsewhere. 

Home, home, sweet, sweet home, 

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. 

An exile from home, splendor dazzles in vain ; 
Oh ? give me my lowly thatched cottage again, 
The birds singing gaily, that came at my call ; 
Oh, give me that peace of mind dearer than all. 

Home, home, sweet, sweet home. 

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. 



112 
Nearer my Grod to Thee. 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee ! 
E'en though it be a cross 

That raiseth me ; 
Still all my song shall be — 
Nearer, my God, to Thee ! 

Nearer to Thee ! 

Though, like the wanderer, 

The sun gone down, 
Darkness be over me, 

My rest a stone ; 
Yet in my dreams I'd be- 
Nearer, my God, to Thee ! 

Nearer to Thee ! 

There let the way appear, 

Steps unto heaven ; 
All that Thou sendest me. 

In mercy given ; 
Angels to beckon me 
Nearer, my God, to Thee — 

Nearer to Thee ! 

Then with my waking thoughts, 

Bright with Thy praise, 
Out of my strong griefs, 

Bethel I'll raise. 
So by my woes to be 
Nearer, my God, to Thee I 

Nearer to Thee ! 

Or if on joyful wing, 

Cleaving the sky. 
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, 

Upward I fly ; 
Still all my song shall be — 
Nearer, my God, to Thee ! 

Nearer to Thee ! 



113 
The Sword of Bunker Hill. 

He lay upon his dying bed, * 

His eye was growing dim, 
When with a feeble voice he called 

His weeping son to him : • 

" Weep not, my boy, " the veteran said, 

" I bow to heaven's high will, 
But quickly from yon antlers bring ) 

The sword of Bunker Hill. " j ^^P^^^- 

The sword was brought, the soldier's eye 

Lit with a sudden flame ; 
And as he grasped the ancient blade. 

He murmured Warren's name ; 
Then said, " My boy, I leave you gold, 

But what is richer still, 
I leave you, mark me, mark me, now, "> _ 

The sword of Bunker Hill. | ^^P^^' 

" 'Twas on that dread, immortal day, 

I dared the Briton's band, 
A captain raised this blade on me, 

I tore it from his hand ; 
And while the glorious battle raged. 

It lightened freedom's will, 
For, boy, the God of freedom blessed ) ^ 

The sword of Bunker Hill. \ ^'P^'^' 

" Oh ! keep the sword, " his accents broke ; 

A smile, and he was dead ; 
But his wrinkled hand still grasped the blade, 

Upon that dying bed. 
The son remains, the sword remains, 

Its glory growing still. 
And twenty millions bless the sire > „ 

And ^word of Bunker Hill. j ^'P'''*' 



114 
America. 

jVIy country, 'tis of thee, 
Sweet land of liberty, 

Of the I sing ; 
Land where my fathers died ; 
Land of the pilgrim's pride ; 
From every mountain side 

Let freedom ring. 

My native country, thee, 
Land of the noble free, 

Thy name I love ; 
I love thy rocks and rills, 
Thy woods and templed hills ; 
My heart with rapture thrills 

Like that above. 

Let music swell the breeze. 
And ring from all the trees 

Sweet freedom's song ; 
Let mortal tongues awake ; 
Let all that breathe partake ; 
Let rocks their silence break. 

The sound prolong. 

Our fathers' God, to thee, 
Author of liberty, 

To thee we sing : 
Lcng may our land be bright 
With freedom's holy light ; 
Protect us by thy might, 

Great God, our King. 



ijenjkmin l)t^owr\ Tl:iorqp^on, 

:V> a. Teacl^er ot" 

rAiiid l\)puUir Sit\giii,^ Sdiool^^^ 

III; \e\v H-aii!;;]^>,^I)ii\: :ati,J \I;(>>acJutsetts, for rteai'ly Ifalf a 
cei|tiiry> ov lri>ui 1(^21 to tlie ycLLt 18 co- 

Witli l>riei \otices of 'Penso^jS, ai\tl Bketcl^es 
of Places w 1 1 ere He \^<xi ¥k\igl\t. 



CoiT^pitetl >>y .TOHN W. MOOKI^:^ 



'''■ To know 
riiaf w I'lrcl) iiortincJ us fies^ in daily life, 

{s ill' 1. 1- Ml IP w ijsilo-m.'' 



MVETER, N. H. : 

WL^iiAlK «fc DUNTON, PRINTERS. 

1S77. 
OnrvvrMir. isTc. by JOHN W. jrOGRE. 



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